• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.316-319
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• 2012

Background: The standard operative treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is thoracoscopic wedge resection, but necessity of pleurodesis still remains controversial. Nevertheless, pleural procedure after wedge resection such as pleurodesis has been performed in some patients who need an extremely low recurrence rate. Materials and Methods: From January 2000 to July 2010, 207 patients who had undergone thoracoscopic wedge resection and pleurodesis were enrolled in this study. All patients were divided into two groups according to the methods of pleurodesis; apical parietal pleurectomy (group A) and pleural abrasion (group B). The recurrence after surgery had been checked by reviewing medical record through follow-up in ambulatory care clinic or calling to the patients, directly until January 2011. Results: Of the 207 patients, the recurrence rate of group A and B was 9.1% and 12.8%, respectively and there was a significant difference (p=0.01, Cox's proportional hazard model). There was no significant difference in age, gender, smoking status, and body mass index between two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that the risk of recurrence after surgery in PSP is significantly low in patients who underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection with parietal pleurectomy than pleural abrasion.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.349-355
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• 2013

Objective : Recently, microscope-integrated near infrared indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VA) has been widely used in cerebrovascular surgery because it provides real-time high resolution images. In our study, we evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative ICG-VA during cerebrovascular surgery. Methods : Between August 2011 and April 2012, 188 patients with cerebrovascular disease were surgically treated in our institution. We used ICG-VA in that operations with half of recommended dose (0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg). Postoperative digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography was used to confirm anatomical results. Results : Intraoperative ICG-VA demonstrated fully occluded aneurysm sack, no neck remnant, and without vessel compromise in 119 cases (93.7%) of 127 aneurysms. Eight clipping (6.3%) of 127 operations were identified as an incomplete aneurysm occlusion or compromising vessel after ICG-VA. In 41 (97.6%) of 42 patients after carotid endarterectomy, the results were the same as that of postoperative angiography with good patency. One case (5.9%) of 17 bypass surgeries was identified as a nonfunctioning anastomosis after ICG-VA, which could be revised successfully. In the two patients of arteriovenous malformation, ICG-VA was useful for find the superficial nature of the feeding arteries and draining veins. Conclusion : ICG-VA is simple and provides real-time information of the patency of vessels including very small perforators within the field of the microscope and has a lower rate of adverse reactions. However, ICG-VA is not a perfect method, and so a combination of monitoring tools assures the quality of cerebrovascular surgery.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1035-1040
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• 2010

The research efforts on GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) keep increasing due to their significant impact on the illumination industry. Surface mount technology (SMT) is widely used to mount the LED packages for practical application. In surface mount soldering both the device body and leads are intentionally heated by a reflow process. We studied on the effects of multiple reflows on microstructural variation and joint strength of the solder joints between the LED package and the substrate. In this study, Pb-free Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder and a finished pad with organic solderability preservatives (OSP) were employed. A $Cu_6Sn_5$ intermetallic compound (IMC) layer was formed during the multiple reflows, and the thickness of the IMC layerincreased with an increasing number of reflows. The shear force decreased after three reflows. From the observation of the fracture surface after a shear test, partially brittle fractures were observed after five reflows.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 2019

Background: It is uncommon for patients who have received a permanent implant to remove the spinal cord stimulator (SCS) after discontinuation of medication in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) due to their completely painless state. This study evaluated CRPS patients who successfully removed their SCSs. Methods: This 10-year retrospective study was performed on patients who had received the permanent implantation of an SCS and had removed it 6 months after discontinuation of stimulation, while halting all medications for neuropathic pain. Age, sex, duration of implantation, site and type of CRPS, and their return to work were compared between the removal and non-removal groups. Results: Five (12.5%, M/F = 4/1) of 40 patients (M/F = 33/7) successfully removed the permanent implant. The mean age was younger in the removal group ($27.2{\pm}6.4$ vs. $43.5{\pm}10.7$ years, P < 0.01). The mean duration of implantation in the removal group was $34.4{\pm}18.2$ months. Two of 15 patients (13.3%) and 3 of 25 patients (12%) who had upper and lower extremity pain, respectively, had removed the implant. The implants could be removed in 5 of 27 patients (18.5%) with CRPS type 1 (P < 0.01). All 5 patients (100%) who removed their SCS returned to work, while only 5 of 35 (14.3%) in the non-removal group did (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Even though this study had limited data, younger patients with CRPS type 1 could remove their SCSs within a 5-year period and return to work with complete pain relief.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2018

Background: To evaluate the success rate of balloon dilation and the factors possibly influencing the outcomes of balloon dilation for the ureteric strictured portion of ureteroureterostomy (UUS) site in patients with post-gynecologic surgeries. Methods: A single institution data base was screened for the patients who received balloon dilation for a treatment of ureteral stricture diagnosed after gynecologic surgery. Overall 114 patients underwent primary intra-operative UUS due to ureteral injury during gynecologic surgery. Among them, 102 patients received balloon dilation, and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Success of balloon dilation was defined as the condition that requires no further clinical interventions after 6 months from balloon dilation. Results: The ureter injury rate of women treated with open radical abdominal hysterectomy was highest (32 cases, 31.4%). 60 patients (60.8%) showed successful outcomes regarding dilation. All patients underwent technically successful dilation with a full expansion of balloon during the procedure, but 40 patients (39.2%) were clinically unsuccessful as they showed a recurrence of ureteral stricture on the previous balloon dilation site after the first dilation procedure. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that stricture length >2 cm was a significant predictor of successful dilation (odds ratio, 0.751; 95% confidence interval, 0.634-0.901; p-value, 0.030), but it failed to achieve independent predictor status in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Balloon dilation can an effective alternative treatment option for strictured portion of the primary UUS in post-gynecologic surgery patients when its length is <2 cm.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.186-190
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• 2018

Esophageal atresia (EA) with proximal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF; gross type B) is a rare defect. Although most patients have long-gap EA, there are still no established surgical guidelines. A premature male infant with symmetric intrauterine growth retardation (birth weight, 1,616 g) was born at 35 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The initial diagnosis was pure EA (gross type A) based on failure to pass an orogastric tube and the absence of stomach gas. A "feed and grow" approach was implemented, with gastrostomy performed on postnatal day 2. A fistula was detected during bronchoscopy for recurrent pneumonia; thus, we confirmed type B EA and performed TEF excision and cervical end esophagostomy. As the infant's stomach volume was insufficient for bolus feeding after reaching a body weight of 2.5 kg, continuous tube feeding was provided through a gastrojejunal tube. On the basis of these findings, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up was performed on postnatal day 141 (infant weight, 4.7 kg), and he was discharged 21 days postoperatively. At 12 months after birth, there was no catch-up growth; however, he is currently receiving a baby food diet without any complications. In patients with EA, bronchoscopy is useful for confirming TEF, whereas for those with long-gap EA with a small stomach volume, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up after continuous feeding through a gastrojejunal tube is worth considering.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.145-156
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the midfacial soft tissue changes following maxillary expansion using micro-implant-supported maxillary skeletal expanders (MSEs) in young adults by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the correlations between hard and soft tissue changes after MSE usage. Methods: Twenty patients (mean age, 22.4 years; range, 17.6-27.1) with maxillary transverse deficiency treated with MSEs were selected. Mean expansion amount was 6.5 mm. CBCT images taken before and after expansion were superimposed to measure the changes in soft and hard tissue landmarks. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis on the basis of the normality of data. Results: Average lateral movement of the cheek points was 1.35 mm (right) and 1.08 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 1.03 mm (right) and 1.02 mm (left). Average forward displacement of the cheek points was 0.59 mm (right) and 0.44 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 0.61 mm (right) and 0.77 mm (left) (p < 0.05). Anterior nasal spine (ANS), posterior nasal spine (PNS), and alveolar bone width showed significant increments (p < 0.05). Changes in the cheek and alar curvature points on both sides significantly correlated with hard tissue changes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Maxillary expansion using MSEs resulted in significant lateral and forward movements of the soft tissues of cheek and alar curvature points on both sides in young adults and correlated with the maxillary suture opening at the ANS and PNS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.397-404
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• 2022

Background: Distant recurrence of esophageal cancer (EC), even after radical resection, is common, and the most frequent site of EC metastasis is the liver. However, a multidisciplinary treatment strategy for postoperative liver metastasis (LM) from EC has yet to be established; in particular, the role of liver-directed therapy (LDT) remains uncertain. We investigated the clinicopathological features and outcomes of patients undergoing post-esophagectomy LM with versus without LDT to explore its therapeutic implications. Methods: Among 624 consecutive patients undergoing R0/R1 esophagectomy for EC, 30 were identified in whom LM had developed as the initial recurrence. Their characteristics were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Six of the 30 subjects underwent LDT for metachronous LM. Five of those 6 also received systemic chemotherapy. A comparison between the 6 LDT and 24 non-LDT cases revealed no significant differences in major clinicopathological and operative factors, except for concurrent metastasis to extrahepatic organs (1/6 vs. 15/24, p=0.044). Twenty-nine of the 30 patients died during the study period, whereas 1 who had received multimodal treatment with LDT remained alive more than 200 months after multiple LM had been detected. Kaplan-Meier analysis for survival after LM demonstrated significantly prolonged survival in LDT cases compared to non-LDT cases treated with systemic chemotherapy alone (p=0.014). Even when the analysis was limited to patients without extrahepatic metastasis, this significant prognostic advantage of LDT was maintained (p=0.047). Conclusion: Multimodal treatment combined with LDT might be beneficial for patients with metachronous LM from EC and should therefore be considered a potential treatment option.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1717-1722
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• 2021

Objective: Stroking calves during the postnatal period could effectively improve human-calf relationships. The objective of this study is to examine how daily calf stroking frequency during the postnatal period affects the establishment of human-calf relationships. Methods: Six calves were stroked by a trainer for 6 minutes once daily for 5 days after birth (D1). Six calves were stroked by a trainer for 3 minutes twice daily for 5 days after birth (D2). A further four calves were stared at but not stroked as the control group. The overall stroking or staring duration was the same for all groups, at 6 min/d and 30 min over 5 days. The tests for reactions to the stationary trainer in an unfamiliar environment and avoidance distance measurements for an approaching trainer were conducted at 1 month and 3 months after the treatment. Results: Calves in both stroking groups approached significantly closer to the stationary trainer, vocalized less, and looked at the trainer shorter than the control group at 1 month. However, at 3 months, there was no significant difference between the D1 and the control group, whereas the D2 approached significantly closer to the trainer and vocalized less, and looked at the trainer for a shorter time than the control group. For the avoidance distance, the trainer could approach closer to both stroking groups than the control at 1 month, however, there was no difference among groups at 3 months. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the difference in the calf stroking procedure affected the established human-calf relationships, even though the total stroking duration was the same for all stroked calves. It is likely to be more effective to stroke more frequently than intensively when the aim is to establish better human-calf relationships within limited labor time.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.145-153
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• 2013

Objectives : Neuroinflammation is characterized by microglial activation and the expression of major inflammatory mediators. The present study investigated the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rg1 ($GRg_1$), a principle active ingredient in Panax ginseng, on pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in the mouse brain tissue. Methods : Varying doses of $GRg_1$ was orally administered (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) 1 h before the LPS injection (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain tissue was measured using the quantitative real-time PCR method at 4 h after the LPS injection, Microglial activation was evaluated using western blotting and immunohistochemistry against ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) in the brain tissue. Cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) expressions also observed using western blotting and immunohistochemistry at 4 h after the LPS injection, In addition, double-immunofluorescent labeling of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and COX-2 with microglia and neurons was processed in the brain tissue. Results : $GRg_1$ (30 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the upregulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 mRNA in the brain tissue at 4 h after LPS injection. Morphological activation and Iba1 protein expression of microglia induced by systemic LPS injection were reduced by the $GRg_1$ (30 mg/kg) treatment. Upregulation of COX-2 protein expression in the brain tissue was also attenuated by the $GRg_1$ (30 mg/kg) treatment. Conclusion : The results suggest that $GRg_1$ is effective in the early stage of neuroinflammation which causes neurodegenerative diseases.