• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.10.1-10.17
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• 2022

Systemic autoimmune diseases arise from loss of self-tolerance and immune homeostasis between effector and regulator functions. There are many therapeutic modalities for autoimmune diseases ranging from conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and immunosuppressants exerting nonspecific immune suppression to targeted agents including biologic agents and small molecule inhibitors aiming at specific cytokines and intracellular signal pathways. However, such current therapeutic strategies can rarely induce recovery of immune tolerance in autoimmune disease patients. To overcome limitations of conventional treatment modalities, novel approaches using specific cell populations with immune-regulatory properties have been attempted to attenuate autoimmunity. Recently progressed biotechnologies enable sufficient in vitro expansion and proper manipulation of such 'tolerogenic' cell populations to be considered for clinical application. We introduce 3 representative cell types with immunosuppressive features, including mesenchymal stromal cells, Tregs, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Their cellular definitions, characteristics, mechanisms of immune regulation, and recent data about preclinical and clinical studies in systemic autoimmune diseases are reviewed here. Challenges and limitations of each cell therapy are also addressed.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between the new V-shaped repair method and conventional methods for the arthroscopic repair of Type II SLAP lesions. Materials and Methods: Our study population consisted of 23 people treated with the new V-shaped repair method or conventional methods in the arthroscopic repair of Type II SLAP lesions at our institution between May 2006 and October 2008. Eleven shoulders were treated using the new V-shaped repair method. Twelve shoulders were treated using conventional methods. The average follow up period was 15 months. For evaluation of clinical results, we used UCLA and VAS pain scores. Results: Comparing change scores (preoperative vs. postoperative states) there were no significant differences in UCLA score or VAS score between the two groups. Conclusion: The new V-shaped repair technique elicits similar clinical results with conventional arthroscopic repair techniques and thus can be considered a useful alternative when using an absorbable suture that is anchor linked with only one suture.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.269-284
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• 1985

The metabolism of Entamoeba histolytica would be affected by various environmental factors, and alteration of the environment was known to afEect the fine structure of 5. histolytica. The present study was designed electronmicroscopically to investigate the ultrastructure and enzyme activities in the aEonic and conventional strains of 5. histolytica. The trophozoites of axenically cultivated HK-9 strain and conventional YS-27 and YS-49 strains of 5. histolytica were collected and liKed with 4% paraformaldehyde/0.1M cacodylate buffier(pH 74), After washing them by centrifugation, 1% warm agar was added in the sediment. Solidified agar with the trophozoites was cut into $lmm^3$ cubes, and incubated in the various substrates to observe enzyme activities. Then, the specimen was post-fixed with 3% glutaraldehyde/0.1M cacodylate buffer (PH 7.4) and 1% osmium tetroBide/0.1M cacodylate buffier (pH 7.4) , dehydrated in ascending ethanol series and embedded in epoxy resin. These were sectioned on an ultramicrotome and observed with a transmission electronmicroscope. The procedures for the observation of the fine structure were same as the above, except for the incubation in the substrate. The sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. For the observation of the surface of the amoebae, scanning-electronmicroscopy was carried out. The results obtained in the present study are summarized as follows: 1. The fuzzy coat around double-layered plasma membrane of 5. histolytica was more irregularly and densely distributed in the conventional strains (YS-27, YS-49 strains) than in the axonic strain (HK-9 strain). 2. The endosomes, button bodies and chromatin material were surrounded by a double-layered nuclear membrane having scattered nuclear fores. The paranuclear body, mono- or double-layered vacuoles, vacuolar membrane whorls, rosette-like cylindrical bodies, aggregation of cylindrical bodies and helical bodies were found in the cytoplasm of the amoebae. Helical bodies and glycogen granules were generally abundant, while a few smooth endoplasmic reticula were observed in the cytoplasm. 3. Alkaline phosphatase activity was mainly demonstrated in the plasma membrane, limiting membranes of vacuoles and smooth endoplasmic reticula. ATPase activity was observed in the nucleus, limiting membranes of vacuoles and vacuolar membrane whorls. 4. Acid phosphatase activity was commonly demonstrated in the limiting membranes an contents of vacuoles, Iysosome-like organelles, plasma membrane and the button bodies in the nucleus. The activity was more weakly demonstrated in the HK-9 strain than in the other conventional strains of 5. histolytica. No peroBidase activity was observed in the amoeba strains employed in the present study. 5. With a scanning electron-microscope, no distinct structural differences were observed between the amoeba strains. All the trophozoite forms of the amoebae showed crater-like depressions and rugged features on the outer surface.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.109-115
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• 2019

Cervical dystonia (CD) is a disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent, involuntary muscle contractions which cause twisting, repetitive movements and abnormal postures. In this case report, a CD patients was treated with transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy and conventional Korean medicine, which consists of acupuncture, Chuna manual medicine, pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine. For outcome measures, this study evaluated Cobb's angle, EuroQol five dimension scale (EQ-5D), numerical rating scale (NRS), neck disabillity index (NDI) and cervical range of motion. As a result, improvements were found in Cobb's angle ($18.65^{\circ}$ to $15.90^{\circ}$), EQ-5D score (0.808 to 0.862), NRS (5 to 3), NDI (16 to 8) and angle of cervical lateral bending ($15^{\circ}$ to $25^{\circ}$). In conclusion, this study shows that combined therapy of conventional Korean medicine treatment and TECAR therapy can be effective for CD patients.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1036-1044
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the clinical feasibility of synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging (sDWI) at different b-values in patients with breast cancer by assessing the diagnostic image quality and the quantitative measurements compared with conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (cDWI). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with breast cancer were assessed using cDWI at b-values of 800 and 1500 s/mm² (cDWI₈₀₀ and cDWI₁₅₀₀) and sDWI at b-values of 1000 and 1500 s/mm² (sDWI₁₀₀₀ and sDWI₁₅₀₀). Qualitative analysis (normal glandular tissue suppression, overall image quality, and lesion conspicuity) was performed using a 4-point Likert-scale for all DWI sets and the cancer detection rate (CDR) was calculated. We also evaluated cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratios for each DWI set in 45 patients with the lesion identified on any of the DWI sets. Statistical comparisons were performed using Friedman test, one-way analysis of variance, and Cochran's Q test. Results: All parameters of qualitative analysis, cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratios, and CDR increased with increasing b-values, regardless of the type of imaging (synthetic or conventional) (p < 0.001). Additionally, sDWI₁₅₀₀ provided better lesion conspicuity than cDWI₁₅₀₀ (3.52 ± 0.92 vs. 3.39 ± 0.90, p < 0.05). Although cDWI₁₅₀₀ showed better normal glandular tissue suppression and overall image quality than sDWI₁₅₀₀ (3.66 ± 0.78 and 3.73 ± 0.62 vs. 3.32 ± 0.90 and 3.35 ± 0.81, respectively; p < 0.05), there was no significant difference in their CDR (90.0%). Cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratios were greater in sDWI₁₅₀₀ than in cDWI₁₅₀₀ (0.63 ± 0.17 vs. 0.55 ± 0.18, p < 0.001). Conclusion: sDWI₁₅₀₀ can be feasible for evaluating breast cancers in clinical practice. It provides higher tumor conspicuity, better cancer-to-parenchyma contrast ratio, and comparable CDR when compared with cDWI₁₅₀₀.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2005

Purpose: Recently, The new Injury Severity Score (NISS) has become a more accurate predictor of mortality than the traditional Injury Severity Score (ISS) in the trauma population. Trauma Score Injury Severity Score (TRISS) method, regarded as the gold standard for mortality prediction in trauma patients, still contains the ISS as an essential factor within its formula. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a simple modification of the TRISS by replacing the ISS with the NISS would improve the prediction of in-hospital mortality in a trauma population with blunt head and neck trauma. Objects and Methods: The study population consisted of 641 patients from a regional emergency medical center in Kyoungsangnam-do. Demographic data, clinical information, the final diagnosis, and the outcome for each patient were collected in a retrospective manner. the ISS, NISS, TRISS, and modified TRISS were calculated for each patients. The discrimination and the calibration of the ISS, NISS, modified TRISS and conventional TRISS models were compared using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, areas under the ROC curve (AUC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics. Results: The AUC of the ISS, NISS, modified TRISS, and conventional TRISS were 0.885, 0.941, 0.971, and 0.918 respectively. Statistical differences were found between the ISS and the NISS (p=0.008) and between the modified TRISS and the conventional TRISS (p=0.009). Hosmer-Lemeshow chi square values were 13.2, 2.3, 50.1, and 13.8, respectively; only the conventional TRISS failed to achieve the level of and an excellent calibration model (p<0.001). Conclusion: The modified TRISS is a more accurate predictor of in-hospital mortality than the conventional TRISS in a trauma population of blunt head and neck trauma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2012

Objective : To optimize the recanalization of acute cerebral stroke that were not effectively resolved by conventional intraarterial thrombolysis (IAT), we designed a double device technique to allow for rapid and effective reopening. In this article, we describe the feasibility and efficacy of this technique. Methods : From January 2008 to September 2009, twenty patients with acute cerebral arterial occlusion (middle cerebral artery : n=12; internal carotid artery terminus : n=5; basilar artery : n=3) were treated by the double device technique. This technique was applied when conventional thrombolytic methods using drug, microwires, microcatheters and balloons did not result in recanalization. In the double device technique, two devices are simultaneously placed at the lesion (for example, one microcatheter and one balloon or two microcatheters). Chemicomechanical or mechanicomechanical thrombolysis was performed simultaneously using various combinations of two devices. Recanalization rates, procedural time, complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results : The initial median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 16 (range 5-26). The double device technique was applied after conventional IAT methods failed. Recanalization was achieved in 18 patients (90%). Among them, 55% (11 cases) were complete (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2B, 3). The median thrombolytic procedural time including the conventional technique was $135{\pm}83.7$ minutes (range 75-427). Major symptomatic hemorrhages (neurological deterioration ${\geq}4$ points in NIHSS) developed in two patients (10%). Good long term outcomes (modified Rankin Scale ${\leq}2$ at 90 days) occurred in 25% (n=5) of the cases. Mortality within 90 days developed in two cases (10%). Conclusion : The double device technique is a feasible and effective technical option for large vessel occlusion refractory to conventional thrombolysis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.245-249
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• 1998

White blood cells (WBCs) are present in most human ejaculates, but abnormally high concentration of seminal leukocytes may reflect an underlying pathological condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined leukocytospermia as status of more than $10^6$ WBC/mL of semen. The purpose of this study was firstly, to compare the outcomes between conventional IVF and ICSI in leukocytospermia, and secondly, to investigate whether ICSI may be an alternative treatment for patients with leukocytospermia. Total 121 cycles of conventional IVF and ICSI candidates underwent IVF cycles at PL Infertility Clinic. Semen Parameters including concentration, motility, morphology of spermatozoa and concentration of leukocytes were assessed from the raw ejaculates. There was no difference in sperm concentration, motility and morphology. The rates of fertilization and good embryo development from ICSI were significantly higher than those from conventional IVF in leukocytospermia (63.9% & 48.6%, respectively for ICSI group and 33.4% & 24.1%, respectively for IVF group, p<0.001). The pregnancy rate after ICSI was also higher than that from conventional IVF (34.3% vs 21.6%, p<0.05). These results indicate that the presence of seminal leukocytes ($>1\times10^6$ WBC/mL of semen) is adversely related with fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy rate. Therefore the measurement of seminal leukocytes in routine semen analysis appears to be of prognostic value with regard to male fertilizing potential. In conclusion, it is suggested that ICSI is an alternative choice of treatment for patients with leukocytospermia.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.349-355
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• 2020

Active and prompt scale-up screening tests are essential to efficiently control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The goal of this work was to identify shortcomings in the conventional screening system (CSS) implemented in the beginning of the outbreak. To overcome these shortcomings, we then introduced a novel, independently developed system called the Yeungnam University type drive-through (YU-Thru), and distributed it nationwide in Korea. This system is similar to the drive-throughs utilized by fast food restaurants. YU-Thru system has shortened the time taken to test a single person to 2-4 minutes, by completely eliminating the time required to clean and ventilate the specimen collection room. This time requirement was a major drawback of the CSS. YU-Thru system also reduced the risk of subjects and medical staff infecting one another by using a separate and closed examination system. On average, 50 to 60 tests were conducted per day when using the CSS, while now up to 350 tests per day are conducted with the YU-Thru system. We believe that the YU-Thru system has made an important contribution to the rapid detection of COVID-19 in Daegu, South Korea. Here, we will describe the YU-Thru system in detail so that other countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks can take advantage of this system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3743-3746
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• 2013

Background: Of patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), around one third are locally advanced at the time of diagnosis. Because only a proprotion of stage III patients can be cured by surgery, in order to improve the outcomes, sequential or concurrent chemoradiation, or concurrent chemoradiation with induction or consolidation is offered to the patients with locally advanced NSCLC. Today, PET combined with computerized tomography (PET-CT) is accepted as the most sensitive technique for detecting mediastinal lymph node and extracranial metastases from NSCLC. We aimed to compare PET-CT and conventional staging procedures for decisions regarding curative treatment of locally advanced NSCLC. Materials and Methods: A total of 168 consecutive patients were included from Acibadem Kayseri Hospital, Acibadem Adana Hospital and Kayseri Research and Training Hospital in this study. Results: While the median PFS was $13.0{\pm}1.9$ months in the PET-CT group, it was only $6.0{\pm}0.9$ in the others (p<0.001). The median OS values were $20.5{\pm}15.6$ and $11.5{\pm}1.5$ months, respectively (p<0.001). Discussion: As a result, we found that staging with PET CT has better results in terms of survival staging. This superiority leads to survival advantage in patients with locally advanced NSCLC.