• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.330-340
• /
• 2010

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate and explain the socioeconomic inequalities of all-cause mortality after breast cancer surgery in South Korea. Methods: This population based study included all 8868 females who underwent radical mastectomy for breast cancer between January 2002 and June 2003. Follow-up for mortality continued from January 2002 to June 2006. The patients were divided into 4 socioeconomic classes according to their socioeconomic status as defined by the National Health Insurance contribution rate. The relationship between socioeconomic status and all-cause mortality after breast cancer surgery was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model with adjusting for age, the Charlson’s index score, emergency hospitalization, the type of hospital and the hospital ownership. Results: Those in the lowest socioeconomic status group had a significantly higher hazard ratio of 2.09 (95% CI =1.50 - 2.91) compared with those in the highest socioeconomic group after controlling for all the identifiable confounding variables. For allcause mortality after radical mastectomy, all the other income groups showed significantly higher 3-year mortality rates than did the highest income group. Conclusions: The socioeconomic status of breast cancer patients should be considered as an independent prognostic factor that affects all-cause mortality after radical mastectomy, and this is possibly due to a delayed diagnosis, limited access or minimal treatment leading to higher mortality. This study may provide tangible support to intensify surveillance and treatment for breast cancer among low socioeconomic class women.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.263-273
• /
• 1997

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation on vestibular compensation following ULX in rats. Electrical stimulation (ES) with square pulse ($100{\sim}300uA$, 1.0 ms, 100 Hz) was applied to ampullary portion bilaterally for 6 and 24 hours in rats receiving ULX. After ES, animals that showed the recovery of vestibular symptoms by counting and comparing the number of spontaneous nystagmus were selected for recording resting activity of type I, II neurons in the medial vestibular nuclei (MVN) of the lesioned side. And then the dynamic neuronal activities were recorded during sinusoidal rotation at a frequency of 0.1 Hz and 0.2 Hz. The number of spontaneous nystagmus was significantly different 24 hours (p<0.01, n=10), but not 6 hours after ULX+ES. As reported by others, the great reduction of resting activity only in the type I neurons ipsilateral to lesioned side was observed 6, 24 hours after ULX compared to that of intact labyrinthine animal. However, the significant elevation (p<0.01) of type I and reduction (p<0.01) of type II neuronal activity were seen 24 hours after ULX+ES. Interestingly, gain, expressed as maximum neuronal activity(spikes/sec)/maximum rotational velocity(deg/sec), was increased in type I cells and decreased in type II cells 24 hours after ULX+ES in response to sinusoidal rotation at frequencies of both 0.1 Hz and 0.2 Hz. This result suggests that accompanying the behavioral recovery, the electrical stimulation after ULX has beneficial effects on vestibular compensation, especially static symptoms (spontaneous nystagmus), by enhancing resting activity of type I neurons and reducing that of type II neurons.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.422-427
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Breast cancer is second most common cancer in women. Almost of patients with breast cancer treated with mastectomy undergoes breast reconstruction. Nipple reconstruction is an important step in breast reconstruction. Many surgeons have investigated of nipple reconstruction using the flap technique after breast reconstruction with the autologous tissue. The objective of this study is to evaluate the results of nipple reconstruction using the C - V flap technique after breast reconstruction with the only breast expander. Methods: From April 2006 to May 2008, the authors treated 17 patients of nipple reconstruction using C - V flap technique, who were received breast reconstruction with the only breast expander. We have predicted decrease of the size of reconstructed nipple and designed flap a little larger than wanted nipple size. Nipple splint was applied for 4 - 6 months for minimizing decrease of the size of reconstructed nipple. The diameter and height of the reconstructed nipple were measured and patient's satisfaction score was assessed. Results: Mean follow-up duration was 12.5 months. Among the 17 patients, the average absorption rate by height of nipple was 47.0%. Partial necrosis was noted in 1 case, and treated well with conservative management. There was no other significant complications noted. Patient's satisfactory score was assessed by the height, design and location of the nipple. The average of satisfaction score was 85%, 68%, 62% and total average was 83%. Conclusion: The authors experienced 17 patients of nipple reconstruction using the C - V flap technique after breast reconstruction with the only breast expander. The absorption rate of the size of the nipple, complications and patient's satisfactory score of this study were similar to those of nipple reconstruction after breast reconstruction with the autologous tissue. It is expected that nipple reconstruction after breast reconstruction with the only breast expander is safe and reliable. It is considered that a long - term study is necessary.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.195-202
• /
• 2008

Purpose : To characterize the effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and quercetin (QCT) on gene expression of osteonectin (ON) and osteopontin (OP) in irradiated MC3T3-El cells. Materials and Methods : When MC3T3-El osteoblastic cells had reached 70-80% confluence, cultures were transferred to a differentiating medium supplemented with 5 mM 2-DG or 10 ${\mu}M$ QCT and then irradiated with 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy. At various times after irradiation, the cells were analyzed for the expression of bone mineralization genes such as ON and OP. Results : The mRNA expression of both ON and OP was increased according to the culture time in the differentiation medium, and the increase of the genes peaked at 14 days after the differentiation induction. In the case of OP, the increase of mRNA expression was maintained to 28 days after the differentiation, while the mRNA level of ON was reduced to the basal level at the same time. Irradiation adding 2-DG showed a significant peak value in the expression pattern of ON at 4 Gy 7 days after irradiation. Irradiation adding QCT increased the mRNA expression of ON and OP in a dose-dependant manner, but irradiation adding 2-DG did not show any differences between the control and experiments 14 days after irradiation. Irradiation adding QCT increased significantly the expression patterns of ON 21 days after irradiation. Conclusion : The results showed that QCT acted as a radiosensitizer in the gene expression of ON and OP during differentiation of the late stage of irradiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells in vitro. (Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol 2008; 38: 195-202)

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.88-93
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Any change in maxilla and mandible position can alter the upper airway, and any decrease in the upper airway can cause sleep disorders. Thus, it is necessary to assess airway changes after repositioning of the maxilla and mandible during orthognathic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate linear and volumetric changes in the upper airway after bimaxillary surgery to correct class III malocclusion via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to identify correlations between linear and volumetric changes. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. CBCTs from 10 class III patients were evaluated before surgery and three months after. The Wilcoxon one-sample test was used to evaluate the differences in measurements before and after surgery. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between linear and volumetric changes. Results: The results show that the nasopharyngeal space increased significantly, and that this increase correlated with degree of maxillary advancement. No significant changes were found in volumes before and after surgery. A correlation was found between linear and volumetric oropharyngeal changes. Conclusion: Bimaxillary surgical correction of class III malocclusion did not cause statistically significant changes in the posterior airway space.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.338-344
• /
• 2011

This study aimed to identify the changes in the list of drugs covered by national health insurance(NHI) after the introduction of positive list system (PLS) in Korea in December, 2006. Six-year (pre-policy:2004-2006, post-policy:2007-2009) lists of the NHI reimbursable drugs filed from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) were analyzed. The total number of listed drugs as well as drug ingredients, and the average number of listed drugs per manufacturer decreased annually after the introduction of PLS. More than 8,000 drugs were delisted in the year 2007 right after the policy change. Prescription-only drugs occupied more than 85% of NHI listed drugs. The percentage of oral type of listed drugs has been increased to more than 60% after the policy change. Korean pharmaceutical manufacturers occupied more than 90% of listed drugs than multinational firms. The gap between Korean and foreign manufacturer in terms of the average number of newly listed drugs per manufacturer in each year has decreased two years after the PLS (Korean 7.7 vs. foreign 6.3 in 2009) as the price negotiation power of foreign firms has increased. The total number of listed drugs is expected to decrease in the future as the Korean government makes an effort to delist the unnecessary drugs that do not show cost-effectiveness.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.40
• /
• pp.8.1-8.6
• /
• 2018

Background: This study was to evaluate the effect of bone graft procedure on the primary stability of implants installed in fresh sockets and assess the vertical alteration of peri-implant bone radiographically. Methods: Twenty-three implants were inserted in 18 patients immediately after tooth extraction. The horizontal gap between the implant and bony walls of the extraction socket was grafted with xenografts. The implant stability before and after graft procedure was measured by Osstell Mentor as implant stability quotient before bone graft (ISQ bbg) and implant stability quotient after bone graft (ISQ abg). Peri-apical radiographs were taken to measure peri-implant bone change immediately after implant surgery and 12 months after implant placement. Data were analyzed by independent t test; the relationships between stability parameters (insertion torque value (ITV), ISQ abg, and ISQ bbg) and peri-implant bone changes were analyzed according to Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: The increase of ISQ in low primary stability group (LPSG) was 6.87 ± 3.62, which was significantly higher than the increase in high primary stability group (HPSG). A significant correlation between ITV and ISQ bbg (R = 0.606, P = 0.002) was found; however, age and peri-implant bone change were not found significantly related to implant stability parameters. It was presented that there were no significant peri-implant bone changes at 1 year after bone graft surgery. Conclusions: Bone graft procedure is beneficial for increasing the primary stability of immediately placed implants, especially when the ISQ of implants is below 65 and that bone grafts have some effects on peri-implant bone maintenance.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.271-283
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to aid in the prediction of tumor cell tolerance to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. For this study, cell surviving curves were obtained for human squamous cell carcinoma KB cell line after radiation exposure and/or administration of antitumor drugs. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10Gy were irradiated at a dose rate of 210cGy/min using /sup 60/Co Irradiator ALDORADO 8. After irradiation, KB cell lines (3×104cells/ml) were exposed to 2㎍/ml of bleomycin or cisplatin for 1 hour. The viable cells were determined by MTT assay for each radiation dose and/or each drug at the 4th day. And they were compared to control values. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The slope of the surviving curve after irradiation of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10Gy on KB cell line was relatively steep. 2. There was no significant difference between the cytotoxicity of bleomycin compared to control group. But, there was significant difference between the cytotoxicity of cisplatin compared to control group. And the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was greater than that of bleomycin on KB cell line. 3. There were significant differences of surviving fractions after irradiation of 2Gy and 10Gy with 2㎍/ml of bleomycin compared with the groups of irradiation only on KB cell line. 4. There were significant differences of surviving fractions after irradiation of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10Gy with 2㎍/ml of cisplatin compared with the groups of irradiation only on KB cell line. 5. There was significant difference of surviving fraction between groups after irradiation of 10Gy with 2㎍/ml of bleomycin and cisplatin.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.183-188
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The accepted general management principle after ankle arthrodesis is to maintain non-weight bearing for 6 to 8 weeks. The aim of this study was to report clinical outcome of patients allowed early weight bearing after arthroscopic arthrodesis. Materials and Methods: We analyzed medical records and radiographs to determine fusion rate and complication risk of 22 sequential patients allowed to walk under short leg cast within 3 days after arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis using 2 screws from January 2008 to June 2012. The minimum follow-up period was 18 months, and the mean age of the patients was 67 years. Results: The mean visual analog scale was decreased from 8.9 points preoperatively to 2.3 points after 12 months. Complete ankle fusion was achieved in 19 patients (86.4%) at 3-month follow-up. There were 2 cases of delayed union and one case of nonunion at 12-month follow-up. There was no other complication such as wound problem, persistent swelling of the ankle. Conclusion: Bony union may not be interfered even though patients were allowed to walk under cast within a few days after arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.229-240
• /
• 2014

Rain events are extremely important for phosphorus (P) dynamics in rivers since large portions of annual river P loads can be transported in particulate forms during only a few major events. Despite their importance, a precise estimation of P contribution in river sediments after rainy seasons has rarely been reported. This study estimated the longitudinal variation in the concentrations of different inorganic P fractions in bed sediments of the South Han River over a rainy season, through using the sequential extraction method. Non-apatite P was the dominant form, representing more than 60% of total inorganic P (TIP) content in sediments. Although no significant variation of TIP contents was observed, the proportion of bioavailable P in TIP pools decreased after the rainy season. The concentrations of individual inorganic P fractions ($NH_4Cl-P$, $NH_4F-P$, NaOH-P, and $H_2SO_4-P$) were significantly different across sites and after the rainy season (p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA). $NH_4F-P$ and NaOH-P concentrations in sediments increased in a downstream direction. After the rainy season, $NH_4Cl-P$ concentrations in sediments decreased whereas $NH_4F-P$ and $H_2SO_4-P$ concentrations increased. The redistribution of individual P fractions in sediments observed after rainy seasons were possibly due to the changing contribution of various sources of runoff and the variation in flow related particle size. Current estimation of P in bed sediments of the South Han River suggests a lower potential of internal P loading from sediments after the rainy season.