• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.362-368
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• 2023

Purpose: Clinical reports on treatment outcomes of sternal fractures are lacking. This study details the clinical features, treatment approaches, and outcomes related to traumatic sternal fractures over a 10-year period at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients admitted to a regional trauma center between January 2012 and December 2021. Among 7,918 patients with chest injuries, 266 were diagnosed with traumatic sternal fractures. Patient data were collected, including demographics, injury mechanisms, severity, associated injuries, sternal fracture characteristics, hospital stay duration, mortality, respiratory complications, and surgical details. Surgical indications encompassed emergency cases involving intrathoracic injuries, unstable fractures, severe dislocations, flail chest, malunion, and persistent high-grade pain. Results: Of 266 patients with traumatic sternal fractures, 260 were included; 98 underwent surgical treatment for sternal fractures, while 162 were managed conservatively. Surgical indications ranged from intrathoracic organ or blood vessel injuries necessitating thoracotomy to unstable fractures with severe dislocations. Factors influencing surgical treatment included flail motion and rib fracture. The median length of intensive care unit stay was 5.4 days (interquartile range [IQR], 1.5-18.0 days) for the nonsurgery group and 8.6 days (IQR, 3.3-23.6 days) for the surgery group. The median length of hospital stay was 20.9 days (IQR, 9.3-48.3 days) for the nonsurgery group and 27.5 days (IQR, 17.0 to 58.0 days) for the surgery group. The between-group differences were not statistically significant. Surgical interventions were successful, with stable bone union and minimal complications. Flail motion in the presence of rib fracture was a crucial consideration for surgical intervention. Conclusions: Surgical treatment recommendations for sternal fractures vary based on flail chest presence, displacement degree, and rib fracture. Surgery is recommended for patients with offset-type sternal fractures with rib and segmental sternal fractures. Surgical intervention led to stable bone union and minimal complications.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.91-105
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• 2024

Plantago asiatica L. (P. asiatica) is a perennial plant belonging to the plantaginaceae and is useful in treating a various diseases such as wounds, bronchitis, and chronic constipation. The bioactive effects of P. asiatica extract was evaluated to determine its potential for use as a variety materials in the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents, free radical scavenging, reducing power activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression were measured to identify the antioxidative activity. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated via analysis of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory protein expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell. As a result of measuring the antioxidant activities of the P. asiatica extract, the total polyphenol content was 50.91±0.78 mg gallic acid equivalents/g and the flavonoid content was 100.99±0.44 mg rutin equivalents/g, and both DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power increased depending on the concentration. Also, intracellular ROS production was inhibited by the P. asiatica extract. No cytotoxicity was observed when P. asiatica extract was treated, and NO and inflammatory protein expression were inhibited, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation was also inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, P. asiatica is a functional natural resources of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents that can be used in various industries, including food and agriculture.

• Sim-seong Yeon-gu
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-65
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• 2020

BMGIM is a method of individual psychotherapy which seeks to achieve self-knowledge via imagery experiences evoked by music. When dealing with imagery in BMGIM, emphasis is placed on the insight of the client, but there are occasions when clients sometimes are confused because they cannot understand their imagery experiences. Also therapists and clients tend to consider experiences of BMGIM from a causalistic-reductive perspective. In order to understand the meaning of BMGIM imagery experiences, in this thesis imagery experiences are interpreted from a Jungian perspective that understands imagery as a symbol and stresses the purposive meaning. At first the definition and procedures of BMGIM are dealt with, secondly music and imagery as components of BMGIM are examined, and lastly the symbolic meaning of two female clients' BMGIM imageries are discussed. Looking into deeply imagery experiences, both therapist and clients newly came to realize not only the symbolic meaning of imageries but also the purposive meaning of wounds and sufferings of clients, especially I was able to confirm the following three points. First, just like dreams or active imagination, BMGIM also deals with spontaneous contents of the psyche. Second, the autonomy of the objective psyche which orients the development of personality, healing and wholeness is also revealed in BMGIM. Lastly, Jungian perspective aids in understanding the meaning of the imagery experiences in a more deep and abundant way. From this point, BMGIM can also be seen as a useful therapeutic tool which deals with the unconscious such as dream analysis or active imagination.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2024

Purpose: Severe abdominal injuries often require immediate clinical assessment and surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications. In Jeju Regional Trauma Center, we have instituted a protocol for emergency department (ED) laparotomy at the trauma bay. We investigated the mortality and time taken from admission to ED laparotomy. Methods: We reviewed the data recorded in our center's trauma database between January 2020 and December 2022 and identified patients who underwent laparotomy because of abdominal trauma. Laparotomies that were performed at the trauma bay or the ED were classified as ED laparotomy, whereas those performed in the operating room (OR) were referred to as OR laparotomy. In cases that required expeditious hemostasis, ED laparotomy was performed appropriately. Results: From January 2020 to December 2022, 105 trauma patients admitted to our hospital underwent emergency laparotomy. Of these patients, six (5.7%) underwent ED laparotomy. ED laparotomy was associated with a mortality rate of 66.7% (four of six patients), which was significantly higher than that of OR laparotomy (17.1%, 18 of 99 patients, P=0.006). All the patients who received ED laparotomy also underwent damage control laparotomy. The time between admission to the first laparotomy was significantly shorter in the ED laparotomy group (28.5 minutes; interquartile range [IQR], 14-59 minutes) when compared with the OR laparotomy group (104 minutes; IQR, 88-151 minutes; P<0.001). The two patients who survived after ED laparotomy had massive mesenteric bleeding, which was successfully ligated. The other four patients, who had liver laceration, kidney rupture, spleen injury, and pancreas avulsion, succumbed to the injuries. Conclusions: Although ED laparotomy was associated with a higher mortality rate, the time between admission and ED laparotomy was markedly shorter than for OR laparotomy. Notably, major mesenteric hemorrhages were effectively controlled through ED laparotomy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2024

Purpose: Recent advancements in interventional radiology have made angioembolization an invaluable modality in trauma care. Angioembolization is typically performed by interventional radiologists. In this study, we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of emergency angioembolization performed by trauma surgeons. Methods: We identified trauma patients who underwent emergency angiography due to significant trauma-related hemorrhage between January 2020 and June 2023 at Jeju Regional Trauma Center. Until May 2022, two dedicated interventional radiologists performed emergency angiography at our center. However, since June 2022, a trauma surgeon with a background and experience in vascular surgery has performed emergency angiography for trauma-related bleeding. The indications for trauma surgeon-performed angiography included significant hemorrhage from liver injury, pelvic injury, splenic injury, or kidney injury. We assessed the angiography results according to the operator of the initial angiographic procedure. The term "failure of the first angioembolization" was defined as rebleeding from any cause, encompassing patients who underwent either re-embolization due to rebleeding or surgery due to rebleeding. Results: No significant differences were found between the interventional radiologists and the trauma surgeon in terms of re-embolization due to rebleeding, surgery due to rebleeding, or the overall failure rate of the first angioembolization. Mortality and morbidity rates were also similar between the two groups. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis evaluating failure after the first angioembolization, pelvic embolization emerged as the sole significant risk factor (adjusted odds ratio, 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-10.33; P=0.041). Trauma surgeon-performed angioembolization was not deemed a significant risk factor in the multivariable logistic regression model. Conclusions: Trauma surgeons, when equipped with the necessary endovascular skills and experience, can safely perform angioembolization. To further improve quality control, an enhanced training curriculum for trauma surgeons is warranted.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.550-556
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to assess healing effect of the green tea on Staphylococcus contaminated wound. On the back of 7 dogs, 6 full-thickness skin wounds($2cm{\times}2cm$) were made and Staphylococcus intermedius was inoculated. Each wound was applied with the 2%(experimental group I), 1%(experimental group II) extract of green tea and normal saline(control group I) after inoculation. The wound contraction rate of the experimental group I and II was higher than that of the control group in entire period. And from the $6^{th}\;to\;22^{nd}$ day, the wound contraction rate of the experimental group I and II was significantly higher than that of the control group(p<0.05). The occupation rate of wound healing in the experimental group I was higher than that of the control group from $0\;to\;9^{th}$ day except from $1^{st}\;to\;2^{nd}$ day and also higher than that of the experimental group II from $0\;to\;3^{rd}$ day except from $1^{st}\;to\;2^{nd}$ day. And the occupation rate of wound healing in the experimental group II was higher than that of the control group from $1^{st}\;to\;8^{th}$ day except from $2^{nd}\;to\;3^{rd}$ day. According to concentration of green tea extract increased, the wound contracted more vigorously in earlier period. The tensile strength of the experimental group I and II was significantly higher than that of the control group(p<0.05). And that of the experimental group I was also higher than in the experimental group II(p<0.05). The number of S. intermedius in the experimental group I and II was decreased more rapidly than that of the control group. From the $4^{th}$ to the $11^{th}$ day, the number of S. intermedius in the experimental group I was significantly lower than that of the experimental group II and the control group. And from the $4^{th}$ to the $7^{th}$ day, the number of S. intermedius in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The histopathological findings of the experimental group I and II were similar to those of the control group on the $1^{st}\;and\;4^{th}$ day. On $14^{th}$ day, reepithelialization was completed in the experimental group I and II except the control group. Higher wound contraction rate, better bacteriocidal action, higher tensile strength and better histopathological findings were observed in the experimental group I and II than in the control group. These results suggest that the topical application of green tea extract can promote contaminated wound healing in dogs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 2018

Human fibroblast growth factor (FGF) has the potential to be a commercially important therapeutic or cosmeceutical agent due to its ability to generate tissue and heal wounds. Granting permeability into skin tissues increases the therapeutic effects of FGF. Thus, several researchers have attempted the fusion of FGF conjugates with protein transduction domains (PTDs) to investigate the transduction ability and therapeutic effects of FGF. Less is known, however, about whether the location of PTD fused to the N- or C-terminus of FGF proteins has a significant impact on the folding and stability in Escherichia coli, and eventually, on transduction. Here, we report cloning of human basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) as a control and FGF2 with PTD fused to the N- or C-terminal ends of FGF proteins by an overlap extension PCR. We performed expression, verified expression properties of recombinant FGF2 without or with PTD fused to the N-terminus and the C-terminus, and investigated transduction ability into tissue by treating the dorsal skin of mice subjects. As a result, FGF2 and FGF2-PTD (fused to C-terminus) fusion protein were expressed as soluble forms suitable for straight-forward purification, unlike insoluble PTD-FGF2 (fused to N-terminus), but only FGF2-PTD fusion protein could transduce into the dorsal skin tissue of the mice subjects. Our results suggest that FGF2 with PTD fused to the C-terminus is more efficient than other options in terms of expression, purification, and delivery into skin tissue, as it does not require labor-intensive, costly, and time-consuming methods.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2018

The imports of Centella asiatica L. Urban are increasing year-by-year due to the fact that its extract is a raw material used for skin wounds and in cosmetics. However, studies on the cultivation and identification of native C. asiatica species in Korea have been extremely rare. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to investigate the physiological and functional activity of Korean native C. asiatica plant cultivated in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. As a result, the highest antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities were examined with methanol extract while skin-whitening and wrinkle improvement were examined with water extract. Seven bacterium and one fungus were treated with 50% methanol extracts of C. asiatica and most of the bacterium showed similar or low levels of antibacterial activity compared to the control group of Omiza (Schisandra chinensis) extract, except for Streptococcus pyogenes, which showed higher antimicrobial activity than that of Omiza extract. However, neither C. asiatica and Omiza extracts showed antimicrobial activity against the fungus, C. albicans. The results of anti-inflammatory effect analyses with Raw 264.7 cells confirmed that the treatment of methanol extract reduced the level of NO by 50% or more compared to the control group. In addition, the water extract showed the highest reduction of melanin content of up to 20% more than the control group when examined with B16F10 cell line, indicating a significant skin-whitening effect. Furthermore, we were able to show the significant skin wrinkle improvement caused by C. asiatica extract with NHDF cell as an indicator, but strong cytotoxicity was also observed, suggesting that further studies are necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.220-225
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• 2009

Background: Sternoclavicular septic arthritis manifests serious complications such as abscess, osteomyelitis, mediastinitis and empyema; therefore, a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary. Material and Method: The treatment results of eight patients with sternoclavicular septic arthritis and who had been surgically treated at our institutions between September 2005 and July 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical treatment they underwent was en bloc resection, including partial resection of the sternum, the clavicular head and the 1st rib. Result: The patients ranged in age from 40 to 74 years with an average of $55.1{\pm}10.3$ years. Five were men and three were women. There were 6 patients with spontaneous sternoclavicular septic arthritis and 2 patients had their condition induced by central venous catheters. The pathogens isolated from the patients’ blood and wounds were MRSA (3), Streptococcus intermedius (1), Streptococcus agalactiae (1) and Pseudomonas luteola (1). One patient expired from aggravation of preoperative sepsis on POD 31. Conclusion: The life-threatening complications from sternoclavicular septic arthritis can progress and lead to death unless appropriate treatment is administered. A prompt diagnosis, appropriate antibiotics therapy and effective surgical treatment such as radical en bloc resection can reduce the morbidity and mortality of this malady.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.63
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• pp.121-150
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• 2020

The important developmental tasks of young adults are based on encounter and identity. These problems of encounter and identity are also connected to the instinct of longing for the "face" of primary caregivers, who acknowledge and affirm themselves as their cherished children. James Loder emphasizes that human "face pursuit instinct" later reaches "formal-operational stage" and leads to religious yearning for God as "the Eternal Face." This pursuit of "face" and "the Eternal Face" is an existential and ontological move to find out "Who am I?" through meaningful encounters. Religious psychologist Carl Jung also points out that scientific thinking has contributed to the liberation of humans from superstitious beliefs. But this has also led to the loss of the precious value of human spirit and the sense of unity with nature. Jung emphasizes that "symbolic play" should help learners and counseler face-to-face with their unconscious mind. By doing so, learners can overcome the wounds and scars of unconsciousness and mature toward the true self. James Loder is a scholar who critically introduced Jung's "unconscientious confrontation" therapy to his educational theory. Beyond Jung's unconsciousness and "symbolic play," Loder proposed transformational education for the learners to participate in meaningful changes through interaction between human spirit and the Holy Spirit. With many young adults wandering around in their existential voids, it is clear that functional and socializational education cannot overcome their problems and developmental crisis. This developmental crisis requires a foundation of identity and intimacy in the encounter with God, the "Eternal Face." Therefore, this study suggests that when Jung's "unconscious confrontation" and Loder's "transformation logic" are employed, transformational Christian education for the healthy self-identity and intimacy of young adults can be accomplished. This inquiry presents not only theoretical reflection, but also the reactions of young adults and actual feedback obtained through implementing transformational Christian education for young adults. Through all of these endeavors, this inquiry was completed by proving that "Transformational Christian Education for Young Adults" is an educational theory that can yield actual results and abound fruits. (This enquiry was undertaken by the support of the research fund of PUTS 2020.)