• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2006

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a critical disease with higher rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to myocardial ischemia and infarction. There is glowing interest in how to determine high-risk patients who are candidates for screening testing. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients detected by Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) and to assess risk factors of CAD and cardiac hard events. Subjects and Methods: 203 diabetic patients (64 male, mean age $64.1{\pm}9.0$ years) who underwent MPS were included between Jan 2000 and July 2004. Cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) were considered as hard events, and coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery >60 days after testing were considered as soft events. The mean follow-up period was $36{\pm}18$ months. Patients underwent exercise (n=6) or adenosine stress (n=197) myocardial perfusion SPECT. Results: Perfusion defects on MPS were detected in 28.6% (58/203) of the patients. There was no cardiac death but 11 hard events were observed. The annual cardiac hard event rate was 1.1%. In univariate analysis of clinical factors, typical anginal pain, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, and resting ECG abnormality were significantly associated with the ocurrence of hard events. Anginal pain, peripheral vascular disease, and resting ECG abnormality remained independent predictors of nonfatal MIs with multivariate analysis. Abnormal SPECT results were significantly associated with high prevalence of hard events but not independent predictors on uni- and multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Patients who were male, had longer diabetes duration (especially over 20 years), peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, or resting ECG abnormality had higher incidence of CAD. Among clinical factors in diabetic patients, typical angina, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, and resting ECG abnormality were strong predictors of hard events.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.193-199
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• 2007

Background: Reoperation is usually required for a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit obstruction caused by valve degeneration, conduit peel formation or somatic growth of the patient. An autologous tissue reconstruction (peel operation), where a prosthetic roof is placed over the fibrotic tissue bed of the explanted conduit, has been used to manage conduit obstructions at our institute since May 2002. Herein, the early and midterm results are evaluated. Material and Method: Between May 2002 and July 2006, 9 patients underwent obstructed extracardiac conduit replacement with an autologous tissue reconstruction, at a mean of 5.1 years after a Rastelli operation. The mean age at reoperation was $7.5{\pm}2.4$ years, ranging from 2.9 to 10.1 years. The diagnoses included 6 pulmonary atresia with VSD, 2 truncus arteriosus and 1 transposition of the great arteries. The preoperative mean systolic gradient was $88.3{\pm}22.2mmHg$, ranging from 58 to 125 mmHg. The explanted conduits were all Polystan valved pulmonary conduit (Polystan, Denmark). A bioprosthetic valve was inserted in 8 patients, and a monocusp ventricular outflow patch (MVOP) was used in 1 patient. The anterior wall was constructed with a Gore-Tex patch (n=7), MVOP (n=1) and bovine pericardium (n=1). Pulmonary artery angioplasty was required in 5 patients and anterior aortopexy in 2. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time . was 154 minutes, ranging from 133 to 181 minutes; an aortic crossclamp was not performed in all patients. The mean follow-up duration was 20 months, ranging from 1 to 51 months. All patients were evaluated for their right ventricular outflow pathway using a 3-D CT scan. Resuit: There was no operative mortality or late death. The mean pressure gradient, assessed by echocardiography through the right ventricular outflow tract, was 20.4 mmHg, ranging from 0 to 29.6 mmMg, at discharge and 26 mmHg, ranging from 13 to 36 mmHg, at the latest follow-up (n=7, follow-up duration >1 year). There were no pseudoaneurysms, strictures or thrombotic occlusions. Conclusion: A peel operation was concluded to be a safe and effective re-operative option for an obstructed extracardiac conduit following a Rastelli operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.168-179
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• 2007

Background: The recent trend of an increasing number of patients with acute cardiogenic shock or chronic congestive heart failure following myocardial infarction, as well as the considerable number who can not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass after open heart surgery, call for immediate efforts to develop affordable ventricular assist devices that are suitable for the Korean physique. Recently, a pneumatic pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD), named DKUH-75, has been developed by the Department of Biomedical Engineering, in collaboration with the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Dankook University College of Medicine. The feasibility of the DKUH-75 VAD was evaluated on the bases of common hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements in pigs, which are subjected to an acute cardiogenic shock state following myocardial infarction, using a novel coronary artery ligation method employing the ischemic preconditioning concept. Material and Method: Acute cardiogenic shock was induced in 10 Yorkshire Landrace Duroc strain pigs by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery via an ischemic preconditioning process. The hemodynamic variables were monitored, with epicardial echocardiographic measurements performed before and one hour after the ligation. The DKUH-75 VAD was implanted into 5 pigs one hour after the onset of the shock. The hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements were taken one hour after installation of the VAD. Result: The systolic, diastolic and mean systemic arterial pressures were significantly decreased in all the experimental animals one hour after the ligation. The systolic, diastolic and mean pulmonary arterial pressures were increased (Eds note: this completely contradicts the preceding statement? However, if you mean the non-experimental animals this should be stated?). The left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased, but the cardiac index decreased, An increase in the left ventricular end systolic dimension and decreases in the fractional shortening and ejection fraction were observed all animals one hour after the coronary artery ligation. In all 5 of the VAD implanted pigs, the systolic and mean systemic arterial pressures were increased, and the pulmonary arterial pressures decreased one hour after the implantation; the LVEDP decreased, but the cardiac index was significantly increased, In the echocardiographic measurements, the left ventricular end systolic dimension decreased after the implantation of the VAD, but the fractional shortening and ejection fraction significantly increased. Conclusion: Significant improvements in the hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements were observed in the 5 VAD implanted animals one hour after installation, which had been subjected to an acute cardiogenic shock state by ligation of the coronary artery, indicating that the DKUH-75 VAD could help in the recovery of the myocardial function. This suggests that the DKUH-75 VAD is feasible in the short term in relation to an acute cardiogenic shock state due to myocardial infarction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2011

Background: The intramural coronary artery has been known as a risk factor for early death after an arterial switch operation (ASO). We reviewed the morphological characteristics and evaluated the early and mid-term results of ASO for patients with an intramural coronary artery. Materials and Methods: From March 1994 to September 15th 2010, 158 patients underwent ASO at Dong-A and Pusan National University Hospitals for repair of transposition of the great arteries and double outlet right ventricle. Among these patients, 14 patients (8.9%) had an intramural coronary artery. Mean age at operation was $13.4{\pm}10.2$ days (4 to 39 days) and mean body weight was $3.48{\pm}0.33$ kg (2.88 to 3.88 kg). All patients except one were male. Eight patients had TGA/IVS and 4 patients had an aortic arch anomaly. Two patients (14.3%) had side-by-side great artery relation, of whom one had an intramural right coronary artery and the other had an intramural left anterior descending coronary artery. Twelve patients had anterior-posterior relation, all of whom had an intramural left coronary artery (LCA). The aortocoronary flap technique was used in coronary transfer in 8 patients, of whom one patient required a switch to the individual coronary button technique 2 days after operation because of myocardial ischemia. An individual coronary button implantation technique was adopted in 6, of whom 2 patients required left subclavian artery free graft to LCA during the same operation due to LCA injury during coronary button mobilization and LCA torsion. Results: There was 1 operative death (7.1%), which occurred in the first patient in our series. This patient underwent an aortocoronary flap procedure for coronary transfer combining aortic arch repair. Overall operative mortality for 144 patients without an intramural coronary artery was 13.2% (19/144). There was no statistical difference in operative mortality between the patients with and without an intramural coronary artery (p>0.1). There was no late death. The mean follow-up duration was $52.1{\pm}43.0$ months (0.5 to 132 months). One patient who had a subclavian artery free graft required LCA stenting 6.5 years after surgery for LCA anastomotic site stenosis. No other surviving patient needed any intervention for coronary problems. All patients had normal ventricular function at latest echocardiography and were in NYHA class 1. Conclusion: The arterial switch operation in Transposition of Great Arteries or Double Outlet Right Ventricle patients with intramural coronary can be performed with low mortality; however, there is a high incidence of intraoperative or postoperative coronary problems, which can be managed with conversion to the individual coronary button technique and a bypass procedure using a left subclavian free graft. Both aortocoronary flap and individual coronary button implantation techniques for coronary transfer have excellent mid-term results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 2008

Background: With increasing coronary bypass and peripheral vascular surgeries, the demand for homologous vascular or synthetic conduits has continued to grow, but wide-spread application has been limited by dismal patency rates. Although cryopreserved allograft valves may provide a suitable alternative, current viability or patency of implanted allograft vascular conduits has been unsatisfactory. Material and Method: We serially analyzed the outcomes of canine femoral artery and saphenous vein allograft implants after storage in either $4^{\circ}C\;or\;-170^{\circ}C$. Result: There were no differences in graft flow rate (patency) (p=0.264), rate of thrombosis (p=0.264), presence of endothelium (p=0.587), or immunohistochemical staining for thrombomodulin (p=0.657) were detected between grafts stored in $4^{\circ}C\;and\;-170^{\circ}C$. Greater flow occurred in the arterial grafts versus the venous grafts (p=0.030), irrespective of the preservation method, with a significantly lower incidence of thrombosis (p=0.030) in arterial allografts. There was a correlation coefficient of -0.654 between thrombosis and positive immunohistochemical staining for thrombomodulin (p=0.006) and a correlation coefficient of 0.520 (p=0.0049) between the endothelial presence and positive immunohistochemical staining for thrombomodulin. The relationship between the presence of endothelium and thrombomodulin expression failed to show any correlation within the first 2 weeks (p=0.306). However, a strong correlation was seen after 1 month (p=0.0008). Conclusion: Tissue storage in either $4^{\circ}C\;or\;-170^{\circ}C$ in 10% DMSO/RPMI-1640 preservation solution preserved grafts equally well. In terms of thrombosis and graft patency, arterial grafts were superior to venous grafts. Considering the poor correlation between thrombomodulin expression and the presence of an endothelium in the implanted graft within the first two weeks, grafts in this period would not be thromboresistant.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 1998

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(DHCA), in which systemic temperatures of 2$0^{\circ}C$ or less are used to allow temporary cessation of the circulation, is an useful adjunct in cardiac surgery. Because man in natural circumstances is never exposed to the extreme hypothermic condition, however, one of the controversial aspects is appropriate blood gas management($\alpha$STAT versus PH-STAT) during DHCA. This study aims to compare $\alpha$STAT with PH-STAT management for control of blood gases in experimental cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) circuits with a membrane oxygenator. Fourteen young pigs were assigned to one of two strategies of gas manipulation. After a median sternotomy, CPB was established. Core cooling was initiated and continued until nasopharyngeal temperature fell below 2$0^{\circ}C$. The flow rate was set at 2,500 ml/min. Once their temperatures were below 2$0^{\circ}C$, the animals were subjected to circulatory arrest for 40mins. During cooling, blood gas was maintained according to either $\alpha$$\alpha$STAT or pH-STAT strategies. After DHCA, the body was rewarmed to normal body temperature. Arterial blood gases were measured before the onset of CPB, before cooling, before DHCA, at the point of 27$^{\circ}C$ during re-warming, on completion of re-warming. Cooling time was significantly shorter in $\alpha$-STAT than PH-STAT strategy, while there was no significant differences in rewarming time between two groups. Carbon dioxide was added between 5.5 and 3.0% in PH-STAT, while no carbon dioxide was added in $\alpha$STAT management. Amounts of oxygen administration were gradually lowered as temperature decreased. In this way, criteria of PH, PaCO, and PaO adjustments were satisfied in both $\alpha$STAT and PH-STAT management groups.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ruminally protected amino acids (Methionine and Lysine) on in vitro ruminal parameters, and in vivo milk yield and milk composition in mid-lactating cows. In the first in vitro experiment, there were no statistical significances between treatments in ruminal pH and dry matter digestibility during various incubation times. In the second in vivo experiment, milk yield decreased by 11.92% in control and 5.68% in the treatment respectively, but decrease rate of milk yield in the treatment was lower than control. Milk yields naturally decreased as time goes by since the DIMs(Days in milk) of the cows in experiment were in mid-lactation period. 4% FCM(Fat corrected milk) and milk protein yields also, respectively, decreased by 11.25% and 11.09% in control and 6.16% and 5.47% in the treatment as compared with the intial. Milk protein and milk fat production were higher in the treatment(0.90kg, 1.10kg) than those of control(0.66kg, 0.79kg). Milk fat content significantly increased with supplementing protected amino acids as compared to control(P<0.05). From the above results, protected amino acids were positively utilized in the performances of mid-lactating cows without inhibiting rumen fermentation. Further investigation is suggested for essential amino acid composition and intestinal digestion rate out of rumen bypass protein in dietary protein to be estimated.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2005

Background : A pleural effusion is a common medical problem. Despite several diagnostic tests, 15-20% of pleural effusions go undiagnosed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of a lymphocyte dominant exudative pleural effusion with a low adenosine deaminase (ADA), low carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), negative cytology and negative acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear. Method : From Jan 2000 to Aug 2001, 43 patients with lymphocyte dominant exudative pleural effusions whose AFB smear and cytologic exam were negative, their pleural fluid ADA level was < 40 IU/L, and their CEA level was < 10 ng/mL were enrolled in this study. A retrospective analysis of the patients' medical records was carried out. Result : Among 31 of the 43 cases (72%), probable underlying diseases causing the pleural effusion were identified: 21cases of malignant diseases, 4 cases of liver cirrhosis, 2 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 1 case of end stage renal disease, 1 case of a chylothorax, 1 case of a post-CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) state, 1 case of a pulmonary embolism. No clinically suspected etiology was identified in the remaining 12 cases (28%). Of these 12 pleural effusions, 7 cases spontaneously resolved, 2 effusions resolved with antibiotics, and the other 2 cases were persistent. Conclusion : Lymphocyte dominant exudative pleural effusions with a low ADA, low CEA, negative cytological exam, and negative AFB smear, but without a definite cause might have a benign course and clinicians can observe them with attention.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.492-507
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• 2010

This article reviews the papers published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering during 2009. It is intended to understand the status of current research in the areas of heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation, and indoor environments of buildings and plant facilities. Conclusions are as follows. (1) Research trends of thermal and fluid engineering have been surveyed as groups of general thermal and fluid flow, fluid machinery and piping, and new and renewable energy. Various topics were covered in the field of general thermal and fluid flow such as an expander, a capillary tube, the flow of micro-channel water blocks, the friction and anti-wear characteristics of nano oils with mixtures of refrigerant oils, etc. Research issues mainly focused on the design of micro-pumps and fans, the heat resistance reliability of axial smoke exhaust fans, and hood systems in the field of fluid machinery and piping. Studies on ground water sources were executed concerning two well type geothermal heat pumps and multi-heat pumps in the field of new and renewable energy. (2) Research works on heat transfer area have been reviewed in the categories of heat transfer characteristics and industrial heat exchangers. Researches on heat transfer characteristics included the heat transfer in thermoelectric cooling systems, refrigerants, evaporators, dryers, desiccant rotors. In the area of industrial heat exchangers, researches on high temperature ceramic heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, frosting on fins of heat exchangers were performed. (3) In the field of refrigeration, papers were presented on alternative refrigerants, system improvements, and the utilization of various energy sources. Refrigeration systems with alternative refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, mixed refrigerants, and $CO_2$ were studied. Efforts to improve the performance of refrigeration systems were made applying various ideas of suction line heat exchangers, subcooling bypass lines and gas injection systems. Studies on heat pump systems using unutilized energy sources such as river water, underground water, and waste heat were also reported. (4) Research trend in the field of mechanical building facilities has been found to be mainly focused on field applications rather than performance improvements. In the area of cogeneration systems, papers on energy and economic analysis, LCC analysis and cost estimating were reported. Studies on ventilation and heat recovery systems introduced the effect on fire and smoke control, and energy reduction. Papers on district cooling and heating systems dealt with design capacity evaluation, application plan and field application. Also, the maintenance and management of building service equipments were presented for HVAC systems. (5) In the field of architectural environment, various studies were carried to improve indoor air quality and to analyze the heat load characteristics of buildings by energy simulation. These studies helped to understand the physics related to building load characteristics and to improve the quality of architectural environment where human beings reside in.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.812-819
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• 2003

Background: Left ventricular dysfunction is one of the important prognostic factors of early mortality and long-term survival after valve operation. We studied the intermediate term results of mitral valve reconstruction in patients with moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction. Material and Method: Forty four patients who underwent mitral valve reconstruction with a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of <45% or less (20∼45%) from April 1995 through July 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Ages ranged from 10 to 67 years (46∼14 years) and 32 patients were in NYHA class III-IV. The mitral valve diseases were regurgitation (MR) in 28 patients, stenosis(MS) in 10, and mixed lesion in 5. The etiologies of mitral valve disease were rheumatic in 20 patients, degenerative in 14, ischemic in 5, annular dilatation in 2, congenital in 2, and endocarditis in 1. Operatively, all patients had annuloplasty and/or various valvuloplasty techniques, and a total of 52 procedures were concomitantly performed. Total cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp time were 160$\pm$57 minutes and 112$\pm$45 minutes respectively. Result: Two operative deaths occurred as a result of left ventricular failure (4.5%). After the mean follow-up of 39 months (range, 10∼83 months), there was no late death. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed no or grade I of MR in 29 patients (72.5%) and no or mild MS in 35 patients (87.5%). The actuarial survival at 5 years was 100%. Four patients required mitral valve replacement due to progressive mitral valvular disease. The actuarial freedom from valve-related reoperation at 5 years was 84$\pm$9%. Conclusion: This study suggests that mitral valve reconstruction in patients with moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction offers good early and intermediate survival and acceptable freedom from valve-related reoperation, and it is the strategy for effective management for these patients.