• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.247
• /
• pp.132-138
• /
• 2005

Background: Mitral valve repair (MVP) is the optimal procedure for mitral regurgitation (MR), however, failure and subsequent reoperations are the limitations. The current study assessed the procedure in relation to the primary valve related causes of recurrent MR. Material and Method: MR was treated in 493 patients undergoing MVP from January of 1994 to January of 2002. The causes of MR were degenerative $(n=252,\;51.5\%),$ rheumatic $(n=156,\; 31.6\%),$ and others $(n=85,\; 16.9\%).$ Surgery comprised 446 ring annuloplasties $(90.5\%),$ 227 new chordae formations $(46\%),$ 125 quadriangular resections $(25.3\%),$ 28 chordae transfers $(5.7\%),$ and 8 Alfieri's stitches $(1.6\%).$ The mean follow up was $29.04\pm22.81$ months. Result: There were 5 early $(1.01\%)$, and 5 late deaths $(1.01\%).$ The reoperation rate was $1.42\%$. There were 45 $(9.1\%)$ recurrent MR (grade III or IV). Of these, 24 were procedure related including incomplete repair (n=14), discordant new chordae length (n=8) and others (n=2). In 21 patients, the cause was valve related including rheumatic disease progression (n=10), recurrent chordae elongation or prolapse (n=5) and others (n=6). Severe MR was higher after incomplete repair (p < 0.001), and valve related failure strongly correlated with rheumatic progression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Since completeness of operation is the prime risk factor that determine the repair durability, intra-operative assessment of the initial repair with trans-esophageal echocardiography is essential.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.260
• /
• pp.208-213
• /
• 2006

Background: The prevalence of anastomotic complication is related to anastomotic procedure or site in esophageal cancer operation. We studied the anastomotic leakage and stricture related to the anastomotic procedure & site in patients who received the esophageal resection and reconstruction for esophageal cancer. Material and Method: The anastomotic procedure, site and complication of 321 patients who received the esophageal reconstruction from August 1993 to May 2003 were investigated. Mean age was 64.5$\pm$4.9 (37${\~}$94) years, 300 patients ($93.5\%$) were male and 21 patients were female ($6.5\%$). Result: There were 7 anastomotic leakages ($2.2\%$) and no difference in anastomotic site (cervical anastomosis $4.1\%$, thoracic anastomosis $1.6\%$) and procedure (stapler technique $1.6\%$, semi-staple technique $9.1\%$, hand-sewn technique $0.0\%$). There were 52 anastomotic strictures ($16.2\%$), differences in sites (cervical anastomosis $2.7\%$, thoracic anastomosis $20.2\%$) (p < 0.001) and procedure (stapler technique $20.0\%$, semi-stapler technique $3.0\%$, hand-sewn technique $4.7\%$). And the stapler technique showed higher stricture rate (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Anastomotic technique was less related to anastomotic leakage in esophageal reconstruction for esophageal cancer. However, stapler technique had higher stricture rate than other techniques. Therefore, we suggest that the anastomotic technique be improved to reduce anastomotic stricture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.591-595
• /
• 2007

There are eight kinds of formulas for invigorating the liver to cure its asthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas Began-tang, Boganhwan, Bogansan, Bogandan, Boganeum, Boganjoo, Boganjeon and Bogango. Another formula called Bocheonghwan is to invigorate the green colour of liver. There are 22 kinds of Bogan-tang, 12 kinds of Boganhwan, 25 kinds of Bogansan, one kind of Bogandan, one kind of Boganeum, one kind of Boganjoo, one kind of Boganjeon, one kind of Bogango, and two kinds of Bocheonghwan. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for invigorating the liver, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Bogan-tang for curing the asthenic syndrome of liver through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Bogan-tang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Began-tang. This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Bogan-tang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the ${\ulcorner}$yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine${\lrcorner}$ , the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Began-tang is an odd prescription, composed of 7 kinds of ingredients No.1 Radix Angelicas Sinensis (2don;7.5g), No.2 Rhizoma Chuanxiong (1don;3.75g), No.3 Radii Polygoni Multiflori (1don), No.4 Fructus Lycii (1don), No.5 Cortex Cinnamomi (1don), No.6 Rhizoma Gastrodiae (1don), and No.7 Radix Glycyrrhizae (1don). There are three methods for curing the asthenic syndrome of liver according to the five elements doctrine invigorating the liver, invigorating the kidney and purging the lung. First, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the liver, you need to invigorate your liver. There are two available methods, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the pungent taste and the warm property invigorate the liver. In the case of taste invigoration, two herbal medicines with pungent taste, Radix Angelicas Sinensis and Rhizoma Chuanxiong, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property invigoration, two herDal medicines with the warm property, Cortex Cinnamomi and Rhizoma Gastrodiae, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the liver, you need to invigorate your kidney which is mother in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the kidney, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the bitter taste and the cold property invigorate the kidney. Therefore, it is important to use bitter herbal medicines for taste invigoration and cold ones for property invigoration. Both Differ and cold herbal medicines, Radix Polygoni Multiflori and Fructus Lycii, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the liver, you need to purge your lung which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the lung, which include taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste invigoration means to purge the lung with pungent taste and property invigoration to purge the lung with warm property. Therefore, it is important to use pungent herbal medicines for taste invigoration and warm ones for property invigoration. Both pungent and warm herbal medicines, Radix Angelicas Sinensis and Rhizoma Chuanxiong, were combined to invigorate and purge the lung. In addition, Radix Glycyrrhizae are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, harmonizing all the herbal medicines composing the formula. First, to cure the asthenic syndrome of the liver, the methods of invigorating the liver and the kidney, and purging the lung should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herDal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Bogan-tangon is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.3 s.83
• /
• pp.312-317
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to research the morphological characteristics and analyze the genetic diversity by using RAPD in Calanthe species native to Korea. Nine samples were selected by flower color and 19 morphological characteristics. In the length and width of leaf, dorsal sepal, the lateral sepal, the petal, the central lip, and the lateral lip, C. discolor was the shortest and narrowest, respectively, but C. sieboldii was the longest and the widest, respectively. The flower stalk length was the shortest in C. discolor, and the longest in C. sieboldii. Three variants were the intermediate between C. discolor and C. sieboldii in the above morphological characteristics, but spur length was the longest in C. discolor, the shortest in C. sieboldii, and intermediate in the variants. The ovary length in C. discolor was shortest and C. sieboldii and variants were similar with each other. The flower color of C. discolor were brownish red, the value of CIE Lab was between 40 and 50. The flower color of C. sieboldii was yellowish, the value of CIE Lab was between 110 and 130. And variants had various colors between 50 to 70 in the value of CIE Lab. By analyzing multiple band patterns of PCR products, 154 bands were selected as polymorphic RAPD markers. The analysis of genetic similarity of Calanther species using RAPD showed that C. discolor and C. sieboldii are more distant from each other than variants, and these results demonstrated that genetic position of variants located between C. discolor and C. sieboldii.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.279-285
• /
• 2011

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the skin whitening effect of the extracts of 3 herbs, Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus, which were collected from Ullung island. Tyrosinase inhibition activities were 33% in pre-fermented extracts and 45% in post-fermented ones. When tyrosinase activities in B16F10 murine melanoma cells were tested, activities in pre- and post-fermented extracts were 41 and 56.5%, respectively. Thus, the post-fermented extracts might have greater skin whitening effects. The protein expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase, which are all skin-whitening related transcription factors, showed that both pre- and post-fermented herbs inhibited protein biosynthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. Post-fermented herb extracts especially showed a greater decrease of protein expressions. The expression of MITF, a regulatory transcription factor, was also decreased by both extracts but was greater in the post-fermented ones. From the results, it can be concluded that the 3 herb extracts from Ullung island may inhibit melanin biosynthesis by the suppression of MITF activity in a signaling pathway. Results indicate that the post-fermented herbs tested in the present study had skin whitening activities and can be used as functional ingredients for food and cosmetic compositions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.312-321
• /
• 2000

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether crossed cerebellar hyperperfusion (CCH) was helpful in discriminating mesial from lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and what other factors were related in the development of CCH on ictal brain SPECT. Materials and Methods: We conducted retrospective analysis in 59 patients with TLE (M:41, F:18; $27.4{\pm}7.8$ years old; mesial TLE: 51, lateral TLE: 8), which was confirmed by invasive EEG and surgical outcome (Engel class I, II). All the patients underwent ictal Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT and their injection time from ictal EEG onset on video EEG monitoring ranged from 11 sec to 75 sec ($32.6{\pm}19.5sec$) in 39 patients. Multiple factors including age, TLE subtype (mesial TLE or lateral TLE), propagation pattern (hyperperfusion localized to temporal lobes, spread to adjacent lobes or contralateral hemisphere) and injection time were evaluated for their relationship with CCH using multiple logistic regression analysis Results: CCH was observed in 18 among 59 patients. CCH developed in 29% (15/51) of mesial TLE patients and 38% (3/8) of lateral TLE patients. CCH was associated with propagation pattern; no CCH (0/13) in patients with hyperperfusion localized to temporal lobe, 30% (7/23) in patients with propagation to adjacent lobes, 48% (11/23) to contralateral hemisphere. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that propagation pattern (p=0.01) and age (p=0.02) were related to the development of CCH. Conclusion: Crossed cerebellar hyperperfusion in ictal brain SPECT did not help differentiate mesial from lateral temporal lobe epilepsy. Crossed cerebellar hyperperfusion was associated with propagation pattern of temporal lobe epilepsy and age.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.336-343
• /
• 2000

Purpose: Thallous-201 chloride produced at Korea Cancer Center Hospital(KCCH) is used in detecting cardiovascular disease and cancer. Thallium impurity can cause emesis, catharsis and nausea, so the presence of thallium and other metal impurities should be determined. According to USP and KP, their amounts must be less than 2 ppm in thallium and 5 ppm in total. In this study, the detection method of trace amounts of metal impurities in $[^{201}Tl]$TICI injection with polarography was optimized without environmental contamination. Materials and Methods: For the detection of metal impurities, Osteryoung Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry method was used in Bio-Analytical System (BAS) 50W polarograph. The voltammetry was composed of Dropping Mercury Electrode (DME) as a working electrode, Ag/AgCl as a reference electrode and Pt wire as a counter electrode. Square wave stripping method, which makes use of formation and deformation of amalgam, was adopted to determine the metal impurities, and pH 7 phosphate buffer was used as supporting electrolyte. Results: Tl, Cu and Pb in thallous-201 chloride solution were detected by scanning from 300 mV to -800 mV Calibration curves were made by using $TINO_3,\;CuSO_4\;and\;Pb(NO_3){_2}$ as standard solutions. Tl was confirmed at -450 mV peak potential and Cu at -50 mV Less than 2 ppm of Tl and Cu was detected and Pb was not detected in KCCH-produced thallous-201 chloride injection. Conclusion: Detection limit of thallium and copper is approximately 50 ppb with this method. As a result of this experiment, thallium and other metal impurities in thallous-201 chloride injection, produced at Korea Cancer Center Hospital, are in the regulation of USP and KP Polarograph could be applied for the determination of metal impurities in the quality control of radiopharmaceuticals conveniently without environmental contamination.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.3 s.108
• /
• pp.332-343
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to test a possibility of water quality improvement using a filter-feeding bivalve (Corbicula leana). In mesocosm scale (width ${\times}$ length ${\times}$ depth: 3 m ${\times}$ 3 m ${\times}$ 0.5 m), we investigated the changes of dissolved nutrient and particulate matter including both abiotic and biotic seston. Short term (16 days) mesocosm experiment was conducted in two stages: the first stage for 8 days and consecutive 8 days of the second stage. Both treatment and control mesocosm were switched over by translocating mussels from the treatment mesocosm to the control, at 8th days since the start of the experiment. This design made it possible to compare mussel effect on the water quality change more clearly. The high mortality of mussel was observed in the treatment of the first stage, but it decreased rapidly and stabilized on the 8th day to less than< 4 ind $day^{-1}$. Chl. a concentration in the treatment mesocosm of the first and second stage decreased to 71 and 88% of initial concentration, respectively, and suspended solids decreased to 70 and 77%. At those times, average filtering rate were 0.46 and 0.61 mL AFDW $mg^{-1}$ $hr^{-1}$, respectively. Both $NH_3-N$ and dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) concentrations increased with the mussel mortality. $NH_3-N$ concentration was positively correlated with the mussel mortality, while DTP concentration showed negative correlation with it. After translocating mussel from the treatment to the control, $NH_3-N$ concentration significantly increased compared with that of initial control. Although DTP concentration also increased, there was no significant difference relative to that of initial control. These results suggest that application of this filter-feeding bivalve in a eutrophic reservoir could be a potential tool to improve water quality if mussels could acclimatize successfully in early stage of the introduction.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.37 no.3 s.108
• /
• pp.319-331
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the ecological impact of freshwater bivalve (Corbiculidae) on plankton communities in experimental enclosure systems (2 m ${\times}$ 2 m ${\times}$ 2 m). During the acclamation period of one month, cyanobacteria, including Microcystis viridis and Microcystis aeruginosa, dominated in both control and treatment enclosures with no noticeable density difference. After the addition of 100 mussels, dominant species of phytoplankton shifted from Microcystis to Scenedesmus in concert with slight decrease in the cell density and the increase of N/P ratio. However, cell density in the control quickly increased, accompanied with changes of dominant species to Oscillatoria spp. With the introduction of additional 500 musseles in the treatment enclosure, dominant phytoplankton species in both enclosures were replaced with Selenastrum spp. and Cryptomonas sp. In the initial stage, the total zooplankton abundance in the control was higher than that of treatment, but it was reversed after the addition 100 mussels. After mussel density increased up to 600 indivisuals, zooplankton density in the treatment decreased with dominance of small taxa, such as rotifers and nauplius. However, abundance and carbon biomass of large zooplankton, such as Bosmina longirostris and Diacyclops thomasi were maintained in a high level compared with those of control. During the study period, Chl. a concentration in mussel treatment and control increased with DIP and $NH_3-N$, respectively. Due to the increase of $NH_3-N$, especially after the introduction of additional 500 mussels, nitrogen limitation did not occur in the treatment enclosure in contrast with strong nutrient limitation occurred in the control. These results indicate that filter-feeding Corbicula could exert important impact on nutrient recycling and plankton community structure in a freshwater ecosystem, through direct feeding and competition for the same food resource as zooplankton on one hand, and through alteration of nutrient availability on the other.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.36 no.2 s.103
• /
• pp.181-190
• /
• 2003

An investigation was conducted on the aquatic environment of the Okchon Stream watershed six times from May to September 2002. The results of investigation revealed that variation of environmental factors were quite significant for each stream and reach, showing a significant difference between running water and stagnant water. Aquatic nutrients were relatively low in the upstream, gradually increasing as the influx of treated wastewater into the stream increased. This suggests that the point source definitely affected the nutrient content of the stream. In particular, the variations of SRP and $NH_4$ were very distinct in the watershed compared to other nutrients. Thus, it can be considered as a major factor in evaluating the effect of treated wastewater. Immediately after the influx of treated waste-water, the average content of SRP rose to 919.3 ${\mu}g$ P/l. This was a very effective level in the watershed, suggesting that the percentage of the nutrients in the water was controlled by the content of P. The constant supply of treated wastewater was found to be a critical factor in triggering the increase in chl-a in the embayment of the stream. With the proliferation of the blue-green algae, the content of chl- a ranged 234.5${\sim}$1,692.2 ${\mu}g/l$. The maximum standing crops exceeded $1.0{\times}10^6$ cells/ml in August, which was more than 200 times the level for red tide in the freshwater. This result was well reflected in other environmental factors, with 100% of AFDM/TSS reflecting the severity of water pollution by algae. Therefore, the reduction of P and N con-tents in the treated wastewater is critical in improving the aquatic environment of the stream as well as water quality management for the reservoir.