• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.367-372
• /
• 2014

Background: We compared the mid-term results of the Cox maze IV procedure using argon-based cryoablation with a procedure using $N_2O$-based cryoablation. Methods: From May 2006 to June 2012, 138 patients (mean age, $58.2{\pm}11.0$ years) underwent the Cox maze IV procedure. Eighty-five patients underwent the maze procedure using an $N_2O$-based cryoprobe (group N), and 53 patients underwent the maze procedure using an argon-based cryoprobe (group A). Bipolar radiofrequency ablation was concomitantly used in 131 patients. The presence of atrial fibrillation immediately, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery was compared. Results: Early mortality occurred in 6 patients (4.3%). There were no differences in early mortality or postoperative complications between the two groups. Nineteen of 115 patients (16.5%) remained in atrial fibrillation at postoperative 12 months (14 of 80 patients (17.5%) in group N and 5 of 35 patients (14.3%) in group A, p=0.669). There were no differences in the number of patients who remained in atrial fibrillation at any of the time periods except in the immediate postoperative period. A multivariable analysis revealed that the energy source of cryoablation was not associated with the presence of atrial fibrillation at 1 year (p=0.862) and that a fine F wave (<0.1 mV) was the only risk factor predicting the presence of atrial fibrillation at 1 year (p<0.001, odds ratio=20.287). Conclusion: The Cox maze IV procedure using an argon-based cryoprobe was safe and effective compared with the maze procedure using an $N_2O$-based cryoprobe in terms of operative outcomes and the restoration of sinus rhythm for up to 2 years after surgery.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.1160-1167
• /
• 2017

Objective: To assess the effects of proteinate complex zinc (PC-Zn) on growth performance, antioxidative function, trace element concentrations and immune function in weaned piglets. Methods: Three hundred newly weaned barrows ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$), 28 days of age, were randomly allotted to 3 dietary groups of 5 replicate pens per group for 4 weeks of feeding. Experimental diets were: i) zinc deficient diet (ZnD, 24 mg/kg Zn supplementation from $ZnSO_4$), ii) inorganic Zn diet supplemented with 120 mg/kg of Zn from Zn sulfate ($ZnSO_4$), and iii) organic Zn diet supplemented with 120 mg/kg of Zn from PC-Zn. The body weight of pigs were recorded at the beginning, at the middle and at the end of the experiment, and the amount of feed supplied each day was recorded. Five barrows from each dietary treatment group were selected to be anesthetized and euthanized at the end of the trial to determine the Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn concentrations, the hepatic metallothionein content, the levels of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), Mn, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the spleen, the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$, $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, and $CD8^+$ T lymphocyte. Results: The accumulation of Zn in the spleen, levels of SOD, GSH-Px, IL-4, IL-10, the proportions of $CD3^+$ and $CD4^+$ T lymphocyte, and the ratio of $CD4^+/CD8^+$ T lymphocyte were increased by organic Zn supplementation compared to ZnD, while the levels of MDA, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and proportion of $CD8^+$ T lymphocyte were lowered. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Zn can improve the antioxidant potential and immune functions of weaned piglets.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.131-139
• /
• 2001

There is personal difference in the concentrations of trace elements in human hair according to human life or history suck as occupation, race, sex, age, food habit, social condition and so on. It is also found that the individual's deviation of elemental concentrations is reflecting the degree of environmental pollutants exposure to human body, intakes of food and metabolism. To compare the degree of accumulation in the hair tissue, human hair samples were collected from five positions of head and analyzed by non-destructive neutron activation analysis with and without washing according to IAEA's recommended method. Analytical quality control is performed using the certified reference material. The relative error of Cu, Cr, Na, Co, Mg, As, Se, Zn and those of Mn, Ca, Fe, Sr are within ${\pm}5%$ and ${\pm}10%$, respectively and the relative standard deviation of elements are within ${\pm}10%$. The deviations between the individuals and hair sampling positions were estimated. The deviation of individual was seven times more than that of positions. Under the defined condition, the difference and the correlation of elemental concentrations were compared with two different groups, office and factory workers. The result can be used as a fundamental data for human health and environment assessment.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.250-257
• /
• 2007

Functional gastrointestinal disorders affect millions of people of all age regardless of race and sex. There are, however, rare diagnostic methods for the functional gastrointestinal disorders because functional disorders show no evidence of organic and physical causes. Our research group identified recently that the gastrointestinal tract well in the patients with the functional gastrointestinal disorders becomes more rigid than healthy people when palpating the abdominal regions overlaying the gastrointestinal tract. The aim is, therefore, to develop a diagnostic method for the functional gastrointestinal disorders based on quantitative measurement of the rigidity of the gastrointestinal tract well using ultrasound technique. For this purpose, a preliminary ultrasound diagnostic system was developed and verified through phantom tests. The system consisted of transmitter, ultrasonic transducer, receiver, TGC, and CPLD, and verified via a phantom test. For the phantom test, ten soft-tissue specimens were harvested from porcine. Five of them were then treated chemically to mimic a rigid condition of gastrointestinal tract well, which was induced by functional gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, the specimens were tested mechanically to identify if the mimic was reasonable. The customized ultrasound system was finally verified through application to human subjects with/without functional gastrointestinal disorders(Normal and Patient Groups). It was identified from the mechanical test that the chemically treated specimens were more rigid than normalspecimen. This finding was favorably compared with the result obtained from the phantom test. The phantom test also showed that ultrasound system well described the specimen geometric characteristics and detected an alteration in the specimens. The maximum amplitude of the ultrasonic reflective signal in the rigid specimens $(0.2{\pm}0.1Vp-p)$ at the interface between the fat and muscle layers was explicitly higher than that in the normal specimens $(0.1{\pm}0.0Vp-p)$ (p<0.05). Clinical tests using our customized ultrasound system for human subject showed that the maximum amplitudes of the ultrasonic reflective signals nea. to the gastrointestinal tract well for the patient group$(2.6{\pm}0.3Vp-p)$ were generally higher than those in normal group$(0.1{\pm}0.2Vp-p)$ (p<0.05). These results suggest that newly designed diagnostic system based on ultrasound technique may diagnose enough the functional gastrointestinal disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate gender equality consciousness among elementary school teachers and the 6th graders at 3 rural area in Korea. Methods: There were 78 teachers and 323 6th graders from five elementary schools in Y area in Jeonnam province. The data was collected with 3 structured self-reported questionnaire from June to July 2003. The instrument, which was developed by Korean Women Development Institute to test gender equality consciousness, was composed of 20-items (Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ = .87 in teachr group; Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ = .83 in children group) with four subcategories: family life, school life, business life, and social life. The data was analyzed by a one-way ANOVA and t-test using SPSS/PC+. Results: 1. Teachers' gender equality consciousness: The teachers' gender equality consciousness was significantly more affirmative in females (t = 5.313, p = .001) and in the younger teacher group (F = 24.710, p = .001). On the other hand, there was no significant difference according to marital status. The differences in all four subcategories were also significantly affirmative in the female and younger teacher group. 2. Students' gender equality consciousness: The gender equality consciousness among the 6th graders was somewhat different from the teachers'. School girls (t = 8.988, p = .001) and children from double income families (t = 3.171, p = .042) were more affirmative in gender equality consciousness than the other groups. In the four sub-categories, school girls were also significantly more affirmative in all four subcategories. On the other hand, according to the family income source, the children from double income families also tended to be more affirmative only in the subcategory of family life (t = 3.196, p = .042) Conclusions: Gender equality consciousness is remarkably different according to gender both in Korean elementary school teachers and in school children. Age was a key variable in teachers for gender equality consciousness. Further research in gender equality consciousness of parents, school principals and urban school population would be useful. In order to promote gender equality consciousness, various educational materials and a mass education campaign should be developed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 1976

Alterations in the serum magnesium level were studied in twenty patients who had open-heart surgery during the period from August 1974 to May 1975. The patients were chosen at random. The operative procedures included repair for congenital heart diseases in fifteen patients and cardiac valve replacement for acquired valvular heart diseases in five patients. The age ranged from 8 to 46 years, with an average of 19 years. None of the patients had a history of gross neuromuscular abnormalities. Cardiopulmonary bypass was carried out using a roller pump and a disposable oxygenator. The prime solution consisted of 2 units of ACD banked blood and approximately an equal volume of non-blood additives in adults, while a relatively smaller volume was added in children. The average flow rate was 2,733 ml per minute. Blood samples for magnesium and arterial blood pH were obtained the day after admission 25 minutes after initiation of the bypass and on the morning the day after operation. Preoperative data were then compared with those obtained during the bypass and postoperatively by a paired test. During the bypass, the serum magnesium level decreased significantly from $1.425{\pm}0.029$ to $1.210{\pm}0.063mEq.$ liter (p<0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in serum magnesium from $1.425{\pm}0.029$ preoperatively to $1.255{\pm}0.083mEq$. per liter (p<0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in serum magnesium from $1.425{\pm}0.029$ preoperatively to $1.255{\pm}0.083mEq$. per liter postoperatively (p<0.01). The duration of bypass was less than 90 minutes in 10 patients (group A) and exceeded 90 minutes in the remaining 10 (group B). There was no statistical correlation between the groups A and B ($p{\gg}0.20$). Statistical analyses of the serum magnesium level and arterial blood pH showed no significant correlation with correlation coefficient; being -0.3485(pre-op), -0.2971(during bypass), and -0.1008(post-op), respectively. In all the patients, no gross neuromuscular abnormalities were found postoperatively. At present, the clinical significance of the serum magnesium level during and after bypass is controversial. In the near future, however, it is expected that improvements in prime solution and heart-lung machine will solve this problem.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.280-283
• /
• 1985

Lipid fractions of the roots of cultured (five years old) and wild (eight years old) Codonopsis lanceolata were analyzed. The most abundant fraction of the lipids extracted from cultured and wild roots of C. lanceolata was neutral lipid and the next came phospholipid and glycolipid in descending order. The percentage, however, of the neutral lipid in total lipid was comparatively low, while that of phospholipid, particularly high; 41.30% and 29.34% in that of cultured and wild one respectively. The richest fraction of neutral lipid was triglyceride; 39.49% and 32.88% in the cultured and the wild respectively, and followed by sterol esters and free acid. Noticed amounts of sterol esters and monoglycerides which is able to be used as an emulsifiers, were contained in the neutral lipid of roots; 27.74% and 5.11% respectively. The unsaturated fatty acid fraction of the total lipid hydrolyzate contained in cultured and wild C. lanceolata roots was 72.87% and 74.37% respectively. The main fatty acid contained in the total lipid hydrolyzate was linoleic acid, and followed by linolenic acid palmitic acid. The main saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid and lauric acid.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.339-344
• /
• 2011

Objective : Pituitary apoplexy is one of the most serious life-threatening complications of pituitary adenoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the visual outcome after early transsphenoidal surgery for the patients with pituitary apoplexy. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the 31 patients with pituitary apoplexy who were admitted due to acute visual acuity or field impairment and treated by transsphenoidal surgery. Five patients were excluded because of the decreased conscious level. The visual acuity of each individual eye was evaluated by Snellen's chart Visual fields were also checked using automated perimetry. To compare the visual outcome according to the surgical timing, we divided the patients into 2 groups. The first group, 21 of the patients have been undertaken transsphenoidal approach (TSA) within at least 48 hours after admission. The second group included 8 patients who have been undertaken TSA beyond 48 hours. All patients were monitored at least 12 months after surgery. Results : Patients were 21 males and 8 females (M : F=2.6 : 1) with the mean age of 42.4 years. Among the enrolled 29 patients, 26 patients presented with decreased visual acuity and 23 patients revealed the defective visual field respectively. Postoperatively, improvement in the visual acuity was seen in 15 patients (83.3%) who underwent surgery within the first 48 hours of presentation, as compared to those in whom surgery was delayed beyond 48 hours (n=5; 62.5%) (p=0.014). Improvement in the visual field deficits was observed in 15 (88.2%) of patients who had been operated on within the first 48 hours of presentation, as compared to those in whom surgery was delayed beyond 48 hours (n=3; 50.0%) (p=0.037). Conclusion : This study suggests that rapid transsphenoidal surgery is effective to recover the visual impairment in patients with pituitary apoplexy. If there are associated abnormalities of visual acuity or visual fields in patients with hemorrhagic pituitary apoplexy, early neurosurgical intervention within 48 hours should be also required to recover visual impairment.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.186-193
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To determine whether it is possible to differentiate between ALPSA(anterior labroligamentous periosteal sleeve avulsion) lesion and Bankart lesion using arthroscopic findings and to investigate the clinical significance of ALPSA lesion. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 66 cases that underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair for the anterior instability of the shoulder. By the readings of MRI, there were 56 cases(85%) of Bankart lesion and ten cases(15%) of ALPSA lesion. Arthroscopic findings of Each cases were classified and their average follow-up period was 22 months. Results: It was observed that ALPSA lesions developed in younger age groups than Bankart lesions. Under the arthroscope, ALPSA lesions showed various forms, especially there were five cases of severe inferomedial displacements. Within Bankart lesion, 21 cases were observed to be severely displaced and from the arthroscopic findings, it was difficult to distinguish the difference of Bankart lesion cases displaced inferomedially from the neck of scapula without severe lateral displacements and ALPSA lesion. Regarding the recurrence, there were no redislocation but apprehension shows in two cases(20%) with severe inferomedial displacement in ALPSA group. In Bankart lesion, there were four recurrent cases(7.1%); one of redislocation; one case of subluxation; two of apprehension. Conclusion: It was difficult to differentiate Bankart lesion and ALPSA lesion with severe inferomedial displacement and severely displaced ALPSA lesion showed high rate of recurrence. Thus, complete detachment of ALPSA lesion should be performed more carefully to reduce the recurrence rate.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2020

This study intended to investigate the growth performance and meat quality traits in broilers fed different regimens of NaCl over a period of 35 days. Seven hundred and fifty 1-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to five NaCl feeding regimens to obtain three replicates for each regimen. Broilers in CON group were provided with concentrations of 0.35% NaCl for the duration of the experimental period. The other groups were provided with two concentrations of NaCl (0.45% and 0.55%) under two durations, namely: 1) 1~28 d: 0.45% or 0.55% NaCl for 28 days then CON; and 2) 1~35 d: 0.45% or 0.55% NaCl for 35 days. Broilers fed 0.55% NaCl for 1~35 d showed improved (P<0.05) growth performance compared with broilers fed the CON regimen. Moreover, higher water holding capacity of breast meat was shown by the broilers fed 0.55% NaCl for 1~28 d when compared with that in broilers fed the CON diet (P<0.05). Broilers fed 0.45% NaCl showed an increase (P<0.05) in the lightness of the meat over CON diet and the 0.55% NaCl diet. In addition, broilers offered CON had the highest redness value and highest crude ash content in the breast meat (P<0.05). Feeding 0.45% NaCl for 1~35 d and 0.55% NaCl for 1~28 d resulted in a higher (P<0.05) protein content in breast meat. In conclusion, broilers fed diets with 0.55% NaCl for 1~35 d showed improved growth performance as well as water holding capacity and protein content of the breast meat.