• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.152-160
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• 1998

Purpose : Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which can result in renal failure in children, is expected to resolve spontaneously in mild cases, but severe cases require surgical correction, posing dilemma in deciding the right measures in some cases. Therefore, to delineate the factors affecting spontaneous resolution of VUR and to apply them in assessing the prognosis, we reviewed the patients with VUR who had been treated medically. Patients and Methods : 32 children (49 renal units) with reflux who had been admitted during the 5-year period from Jan '92 to Dec '96 were classified into 4 groups (Resolved, Improved, Unchanged, and Worsened) and analyzed. Results : 1) 25 were boys and 7 girls. The age at diagnosis ranged from 13 days to 9 years (mean $24.6{\pm}11.4$ mo) 2) Among 49 refluxing ureters, 4 were below 1 me of age,21 between 1 me to 1 yr, 16 between 1 yr to 6 yr, 8 beyond 6 yr. Two belonged to Grade I, 16 to Crade II, 17 to Grade III, 12 to Grade IV, and 2 to Grade V. 3) Spontaneous resolution rates of reflux were 100, 81, 47, 8, 0$\%$ for each Grade, respectively. Resolution plus improvement rates in Grade III and IV were 71 and $50\%$, each. 4) Resolution rates in relation to the age at diagnosis were $100\%$ for below 1 mo, $48\%$ between 1 mo to 1 yr, $56\%$ between 1 to 6 yr, and $13\%$ beyond 6 yr. 5) Of 15 unilateral refluxing ureters, 14 ($93\%$) resulted in resolution. Of 34 bilateral refluxing ureters, 11 ($32\%$) resolved spontaneously 6) Resolution occurred within 1 year in 20 units of 24 renal units in regular follow-up. Conclusion: The lower the initial grade and the younger the patient, the sooner the reflux resolved. Resolution was better when VUR was unilateral than bilateral. Long-term regular follow-up is essential because even the cases falling in Grades III and IV have high rates of spontaneous resolution and improvement with medical treatment.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.137-146
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• 1996

There has been no general agreement about optimal time for nerve surgery in the closed brachial plexus injury(BPI). From our early experiences, we knew by chance that spontaneous recovery in BPI patients may begin even later than 8 months after injury. Authors' strategy, which was based on our early experiences, for the treatment of closed fresh injury was 'wait and see' unlit 8 months after injury. From 1985 to 1994, we observed 103 patients with BPI. All of them did not have any operation until 8 months after injury. There were 95 men and 8 women with a mean age of 29 years. Motorcycle injury(31%) and vehicle accident(28%) were main causes of injury. Whole plexus types were observed in 56 patients(54%), upper plexus types in 29(28%), lower plexus types in 3(3%), and infraclavicular types in 15(15%). Electromyography was performed in all patients. This was repeated every three months to detect the recovery. Results were evaluated by authors' criteria, in which AMA system of brachial plexus impairment was modified. Duration of follow up was average 25 months. 47 patients(46%) showed spontaneous improvement, which was initially detected at average 7.8 months(range,3 months-16 months) after trauma by electromyography. The average score of these 47 patients improved from 14.8 points to 39.8 points.31 patients(30%) had nerve surgery such as nerve graft, neurotization or neurolysis. Average duration from injury to nerve surgery, was 10 months. Among 31 patients who had nerve surgery, 16 patients improved from preoperative 21.5 points to postoperative 36.3 points in average. Because spontaneous recovery began in average 7.8 months after injury, we think that it would be better to 'wait and see' for at least one year in patients with closed BPI expecting spontaneous recovery.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.247-254
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• 2005

This study aimed at clarifing clinical effects of eight-step continuum treatment in a patient who showed apraxia of speech after stroke. The eight-step continuum treatment consisted of 8 steps and its clinical efficacy has been proven with American apraxic patients. However, it has not been clinically proven to be effective in Korean patients with apraxia of speech as of yet. Therefore, this study was conducted in an effort to provide preliminary clinical evidence regarding its effectiveness regardless of the linguistic differences between Korean and English. The therapy took place twice a week for 6 months, a total of 48 times. The results showed that the patient's receptive language was improved from 83% to 89% and 37% in accuracy, and expressive language from 15% to 37%. It seemed that spontaneous recovery did not playa role in his improvement since the study was conducted 2 years after the stroke. In addition, the improvement of expressive language was much greater(22%) than that of receptive language(6%), which implied that the therapy was effective in apraxia of speech because apraxia of speech is relatively confined to expressive ability, more specifically motor programming and sequencing.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2018

This study aims to identify more reasonable and efficient development plans to engage local university students in landscape improvement projects in rural areas. To survey university students, residents, administrators and experts involved in such projects on important considerations in this regard, SWOT analysis was employed to identify important factors, followed by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate their relative importance, identify problems and suggest implications for improvement. The results are summarized as follows: the relative importance of the SWOT group was in the order of opportunity, strength, threat, and weakness. For each SWOT factor, the relative importance of strengths was in the order of students' aspiration and passion, availability of creative ideas and designs, and improved attachment to their community. The relative importance of weaknesses was in the order of the lack of spontaneous participation of residents, short preparation periods and insufficient budgets, and the lack of experience in similar projects. The relative importance of opportunities was in the order of young students' activity itself being a boost factor to the community, students' endeavors arising a consensus among residents, and students feeling a sense of duty as representatives of their school. The relative importance of threats was in the order of projects being one-shot, temporary events, immaturity, and differences in preferences between older and younger generations. To draw an overall ranking of the sub-factors evaluated, the overall relative importance of the decision-making factors was evaluated. Among the sub-factors for each SWOT group, young students' activity itself being a boost factor to the community as an opportunity factor was shown to be the most important, while the lack of experience in similar projects was shown to be the least important as administrators and experts made appropriate interventions in each stage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2015

Objective : To determine the advantages of parietal approach compared to Kocher's point approach for spontaneous, oval-shaped intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with expansion to the parietal region. Methods : We divided patients into two groups : group A had burr holes in the parietal bone and group B had burr holes at Kocher's point. The hematoma volume, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, and modified Barthel Index (mBI) score were calculated. At discharge, we evaluated the patients' Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, motor grade, and hospitalization duration. We evaluated the patients' mBI scores and motor grades at 6 months after surgery. Results : The hematoma volume in group A was significantly less than that in group B on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21. Group A had significantly higher GCS scores than did group B on postoperative days 1 and 3. Group A had higher mBI scores postoperatively than did group B, but the scores were not significantly different. No differences were observed for the GOS score, mRS score, motor grade at discharge, or duration of hospitalization. The mBI score of group A at 6 months after surgery was significantly higher, and more patients in group A showed muscle strength improvement. Conclusion : In oval-shaped ICH with expansion to the parietal region, the parietal approach is considered to improve the clinical symptoms at the acute phase by removing the hematoma more effectively in the early stages. The parietal approach might help promote the long-term recovery of motor power.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.556-568
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• 2007

Unsatisfied results of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) estimates were caused by the fact that the predictability of the predictors was insufficient. This unmet estimate of the predictors may be affected by transitional events due to behaviors which occur during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We thus hypothesized that the discrepancy of ROSC estimates found in statistical characteristics due to transitional CPR events, may affect the performance of the predictors, and that the performance of the classifier dichotomizing between ROSC and No-ROSC might be different during CPR. In a canine model (n=18) of prolonged ventricular fibrillation (VF), standard CPR was provided with administration of two doses of epinephrine 0 min or 3 min later of the onset of CPR. For the analysis of the likelihood of a successful defibrillation during CPR, Support Vector Classification was adopted to evaluate statistical peculiarity combining time and frequency based predictors: median frequency, frequency band-limited power spectrum, mean segment amplitude, and zero crossing rates. The worst predictable period showed below about 1 min after the onset of CPR, and the best predictable period could be observed from about 1.5 min later of the administering epinephrine through 2.0-2.2 min. As hypothesized, the discrepancy of statistical characteristics of the predictors was reflected in the differences of the classification performance during CPR. These results represent a major improvement in defibrillation prediction can be achieved by a specific timing of the analysis, as a change in CPR transition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of the study was to determine the clinical effects of anterior radical debridement on a series of patients with spontaneous spinal infection. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 32 patients who underwent surgical treatment from January 2000 to December 2005 in our department. The average follow-up Period was 33.4 months (range, 6 to 87 months). Thirty-two patients presented with the following : 23 cases with pyogenic spondylitis, eight with tuberculous spondylitis and one with fungal spondylitis. The indications for surgery were intractable pain, failure of medical management, neurological impairment with or without an associated abscess, vertebral destruction causing spinal instability and/or segmental kyphosis. Results : The study included 15 (46.9%) males and 17 (53.1%) females ranging in age from 26 to 75 years (mean, 53.1 years). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and pulmonary Tbc were the most common predisposing factors for pyogenic spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis. Staphylococcus aureus (13%) was the main organism isolated. The most prevalent location was the lumbar spine (75%). Changes in the pain score, Frankel's classification, and laboratory parameters demonstrated a significant clinical improvement in all patients. However, there were recurrent infections in two patients with tuberculous spondylitis and inappropriate debridement and intolerance of medication and noncompliance. Autologous rib, iliac bone and allograft(fibular) were performed in most patients. However, 10 patients were grafted using a titanium mesh cage after anterior radical debridement. There were no recurrent infections in the 10 cases using the mesh cage with radical debridement. Conclusion : The findings of this study indicate that surgery based on appropriate surgical indications is effective for the control of spinal infection and prevention of recurrence with anterior radical debridement, proper drug use and abscess drainage.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and utero-relaxant effect of ${\alpha}$-bisabolol on the pregnant human myometrium. Samples from the pregnant human myometrium were used in functional tests to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ${\alpha}$-bisabolol (560, 860, 1,200 and $1,860{\mu}M$) on spontaneous myometrial contractions. The intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels generated in response to ${\alpha}$-bisabolol in human myometrial homogenates were measured by ELISA. The anti-inflammatory effect of ${\alpha}$-bisabolol was determined through the measurement of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$) and interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, in pregnant human myometrial explants stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Forskolin was used as a positive control to evaluate the cAMP and cytokine levels. ${\alpha}$-Bisabolol was found to induce a significant inhibition of spontaneous myometrial contractions at the highest concentration level (p<0.05). ${\alpha}$-Bisabolol caused a concentration-dependent decrease in myometrial cAMP levels (p<0.05) and a concentration-dependent decrease in LPS-induced $TNF{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ production, while IL-10 production did not increase significantly (p>0.05). The anti-inflammatory and utero-relaxant effects induced by ${\alpha}$-bisabolol were not associated with an increase in cAMP levels in pregnant human myometrial samples. These properties place ${\alpha}$-bisabolol as a potentially safe and effective adjuvant agent in cases of preterm birth, an area of pharmacological treatment that requires urgent improvement.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.13-24
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Poncirus Trifoliata(PT) on improvement of fecal impaction in spinal cord injured(SCI) rats. Methods : Fifteen adult Sprague-Dawley female rats were used weighing 200~250 g. A complete spinal cord transection was performed surgically at the T10 cord level. Experimental groups were assigned into 3 groups: Control(n=5), SCI+vehicle(n=5) and SCI+PT(n=5). PT was administered 100mg/kg in 0.5ml every 24 hours from 1st operation day to 7th day. We measured the body weight and food intake as well as the number and the weight of fecal pellet every morning. After 1 week of operation, whole colon was divided into proximal and distal segments under anesthesia. Each segment of colon was mounted with longitudinal direction in a organ bath. We measured spontaneous contraction and compared the area under the curve in each segments. Enhanced responses were observed by acetylcholine($10^{-6}M$), 40 mM KCl solution, L-NAME($10^{-4}M$). Results : The fecal number and weights were significantly higher in the group of SCI+PT than SCI+vehicle group(p<0.05). In organ bath study, area under the curves of the spontaneous contraction in SCI+vehicle and SCI+PT groups were significantly increased compared to control group. Contractility of distal colon in response to acetylcholine or KCl in SCI+vehicle group was significantly decreased compared to other groups(p<0.05). Conclusions : These results suggest that PT might be useful to promote bowel emptying in spinal cord injured rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.210-217
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• 2023

Background: Effects of the major ginsenoside Rg1 on mammalian longevity and physical vitality are rarely reported. Purpose: To examine longevity, tumor, and spontaneous locomotor activity in rats consuming Rg1. Methods: A total of 138 Wistar rats were randomized into 2 groups: control (N = 69) and Rg1 (N = 69). Rg1 (0.1 mg/kg per day) were orally supplemented from 6 months of age until natural death. Spontaneous mobility was measured by video-tracking together with body composition (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) and inflammation markers at 5, 14, 21, and 28 months of age. Results: No significant differences in longevity (control: 706 days; Rg1: 651 days, p = 0.77) and tumor incidence (control: 19%; Rg1: 12%, p = 0.24) were observed between the two groups. Movement distance in the control group declined significantly by ~60% at 21 months of age, together with decreased TNF-α (p = 0.01) and increased IL-10 (p = 0.02). However, the movement distance in the Rg1 group was maintained ~50% above the control groups (p = 0.01) at 21 months of age with greater magnitudes of TNF-α decreases and IL-10 increases. Glucose, insulin, and body composition (bone, muscle and fat percentages) were similar for both groups during the entire observation period. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest a delay age-dependent decline in physical vitality during late life by lifelong Rg1 consumption. This improvement is associated with inflammatory modulation. Significant effects of Rg1 on longevity and tumorigenesis were not observed.