• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.370-376
• /
• 2010

Objective : Although unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is widely used because of its benefits, it does have some technical limitations. Removal of disk material and endplate cartilage is difficult, but essential, for proper fusion in unilateral surgery, leading to debate regarding the surgery's limitations in removing the disk material on the contralateral side. Therefore, authors have conducted a randomized, comparative cadaver study in order to evaluate the efficiency of the surgery when using conventional instruments in the preparation of the disk space and when using the recently developed high-pressure water jet system, SpineJet$^{TM}$ XL. Methods : Two spine surgeons performed diskectomies and disk preparations for TLIF in 20 lumbar disks. All cadaver/surgeon/level allocations for preparation using the SpineJet$^{TM}$ XL (HydroCision Inc., Boston, MA, USA) or conventional tools were randomized. All assessments were performed by an independent spine surgeon who was unaware of the randomizations. The authors measured the areas (cm2) and calculated the proportion (%) of the disk surfaces. The duration of the disk preparation and number of instrument insertions and withdrawals required to complete the disk preparation were recorded for all procedures. Results : The proportion of the area of removed disk tissue versus that of potentially removable disk tissue, the proportion of the area of removed endplate cartilage, and the area of removed disk tissue in the contralateral posterior portion showed 74.5 ${\pm}$ 17.2%, 18.5 ${\pm}$ 12.03%, and 67.55 ${\pm}$ 16.10%, respectively, when the SpineJet$^{TM}$ XL was used, and 52.6 ${\pm}$ 16.9%, 22.8 ${\pm}$ 17.84%, and 51.64 ${\pm}$ 19.63%, respectively, when conventional instrumentations were used. The results also showed that when the SpineJet$^{TM}$ XL was used, the proportion of the area of removed disk tissue versus that of potentially removable disk tissue and the area of removed disk tissue in the contralateral posterior portion were statistically significantly high (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Also, compared to conventional instrumentations, the duration required to complete disk space preparation was shorter, and the frequency of instrument use and the numbers of insertions/withdrawals were lower when the SpineJet$^{TM}$ XL was used. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that hydrosurgery using the SpineJet$^{TM}$ XL unit allows for the preparation of a greater portion of disk space and that it is less traumatic and allows for more precise endplate preparation without damage to the bony endplate. Furthermore, the SpineJet$^{TM}$ XL appears to provide tangible benefits in terms of disk space preparation for graft placement, particularly when using the unilateral TLIF approach.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.375-383
• /
• 2018

Clinicians are faced with many difficulties when planning prosthodontic restorations with implants in a complete edentulous patient. When planning fixed implant prosthetics, it is often necessary to have additional surgery due to highly reduced alveolar bone, as well as high treatment costs and long-term treatment durations can be required. In addition, lack of interocclusal space can be a problem when planning implant supported overdentures. In this study, we planned to place a small number of implants on the anterior maxilla and used them as the abutments for distal-extension removable partial dentures on the posterior side in a maxillary fully edentulous patient. This would reduce the possibility of additional invasive operations such as alveolar bone graft, shorten the treatment time, and be relatively easy for elderly patients to burden. In this case, the patient was provided with a distal-extension removable partial denture and anterior implant fixed prostheses, which was similar to the previous one, and showed good adaptation, and chewing efficiency and esthetics was recovered.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.393-400
• /
• 2013

In this study, Polyethylene wax, which was produced in manufacturing process of high density polyethylene was grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH). The influences of reaction parameters on the graft polymerization as well as the effect of hydrolysis of the anhydride functions were investigated. The results show that the grafting degree increased and conversion of maleic anhydride decreased with an increase in MAH monomer content. This means the highest grafting efficiency for the reaction can be met when MAH monomer content is about 15 wt%. DCP (dicumyl peroxide) and DTBP (di-tert-butyl peroxide) have been used as the initiator and the highest yield of grafting was obtained when the initiator content is about 0.5 wt%. However, It can be seen that the gel content values of this polyethylene wax grafted MAH were below 2%. It was also observed that the grafting degree increased with an increase in reaction temperature and the maximum value was reached 2 hours later. Although MAH functions grafted onto polyethylene wax were mainly in the carboxylic acid forms, some anhydride form of MAH appeared in over 5% of grafting degree. As a result of hydrolysis reaction, it was observed that the conversion of anhydride group into carboxylic acid group was reached up to 10%.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.14-22
• /
• 2006

the basic model of chemical reactor using glow discharge, we used cathode discharge cell with vacant cavity in the middle. Currently glow discharge is widely studied as a radiation source or atomization device in atomic spectroscopy and remarkable technological achievements are made through the graft with other analysis devices such as microanalysis and steel analysis.1 Additionally, as the characteristics of basic glow discharge and radiation have been reviewed many times, those results could be used in this experiment.2-3 In 1993, an article regarding the treatment of poisonous gas in the air using low temperature plasma was published. According to this article, if DC Glow Discharge is used under continuous atmospheric flow, poisonous gases such as SO2 and NO can be removed.4 Based on those findings, we designed highly efficient reactor where stable air plasma is composed and all air flow pass the negative glow area passing through the tube. It was observed that the cathode tube type glow discharge developed in this study would be economical, easy to use and could be used as radiation source as well.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.107-114
• /
• 2012

Background: Leukocyte reduction filters are widely used to prevent transfusion reactions caused by leukocytes in blood components. Commercial filters are not sufficient for removal of leukocytes for prevention of transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease; therefore, irradiation of blood components was performed using expensive equipment. Techniques using an aptamer substituted for antibody have been developed and are available in clinical areas. The purpose of this study is to develop the aptamer filter system and to evaluate its efficiency and the possibility of its clinical application. Methods: Aptamers targeted to CD45 were selected by the Postech Aptamer Initiative. The aptamer filter in which aptamers attached to beads were bound to leukocytes and removed by magnetic field was developed. Filtration of 14 units of leukoreduction-red blood provided by Korean Red Cross Blood Services was performed using aptamer filters. Leukocyte removal rate and red cell recovery rate were evaluated and bacterial culture was performed. Results: After filtration using the aptamer filters, 45.6% of leukocytes were additionally removed and the red cell recovery rate was 92.8%. No growth in the bacterial culture was observed. Conclusion: In order to apply the cell depletion technique utilizing an aptamer to blood filter system, we developed and evaluated the aptamer filter system. Through improvement of the binding efficiency of the aptamer and the filtering process, and application of the various aptamers for other different cells, we suggest that this technique can be applied in the clinical area, such as a substitution for the irradiation process for TAGVHD prevention.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.433-440
• /
• 2009

Korean sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas, varieties were examined for their flowering response as a fundamental research to improve breeding efficiency by hybridization of this crop. Under 10.0~10.5 hours short day condition, self-rooted plants of three varieties such as Shinmi, Hongmi and Hwangmi flowered sparsely or moderately, and those of fourteen varieties including Eunmi flowered very sparsely. Under 10.6~12.0 hours day length condition, self-rooted plants of three varieties such as Shinmi, Hongmi and Hwangmi flowered very sparsely. Under the day length longer than 12 hours, none of the tested plants flowered. In all the sweetpotato plants grafted on morning glory, flowering occurred with varying degrees by varieties and day lengths. Under 10.0~10.5 hours day length, thirty two varieties including Hongmi flowered moderately or profusely, and one variety such as Mokgye 1 flowered sparsely. Under 10.6~12 hours day length, twenty three varieties including Sinchunmi flowered moderately or profusely, nine varieties including Jeungmi flowered sparsely, and Mokgye 1 didn't flower at all.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.401-408
• /
• 2017

Herein, we report the meristem-tip culture from dormant buds of grape 'Kyoho' single-infected with Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), which is phloem-limited and transmitted by graft inoculation. We produced GFkV-free shoots without thermo- or chemotherapy using meristem-tip explants approximately 0.3 mm (73 explants) and 0.8 mm long (five explants) including shoot apical meristem, 2-5 leaf primordia, and 1-4 uncommitted primordia from dormant buds of the infected woody cuttings (stored at $4^{\circ}C$). Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 3.0 mg/L benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). After 16 weeks of culture, shoot (10-mm long) regeneration frequency achieved from 0.3-mm explants was 4.1% and that obtained from 0.8-mm explants was 40.0%. Virus-free efficiency (expressed as the percentage of RT-PCR negative shoots regenerated) from 0.3- and 0.8-mm explants was 100% and 50%, respectively. Following in vitro multiplication, RT-PCR assays revealed identical results to assays of the first regenerated shoots. Our new methodological approach could be applied for eliminating other viruses in grapevines, as well as for producing virus-free plants in many other deciduous tree species, including fruit trees.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.36-42
• /
• 2002

Background: To evaluate the efficiency of surgical treatment in patients with cardiac valvular and arterial involvement of Behcet's syndrome. Material and Method: 12 patients underwent surgical treatment due to the valvular heart diseases and the various arterial diseases associated with Behest's syndrome over 7 years; 6 with valvular heart disease, 1 with annuloaortic ectasia, 1 with ascending aortic aneurysm, 4 with pseudoaneurysms in abdominal aorta(n=2), carotid artery(n=1), and popliteal artery(n=1). All 12 patients had received valvular replacement(n=6) and the artificial(n=5) or autologous(n=1) graft interposition. We followed the results of these surgical treatments. Result: Operations were technically successful in all 12 patients and peri-operative complication was not demonstrated. However, 10 patients had recurrences; 6 with valvular dehiscence, 3 with pseudoaneurysm at anastostomosis site, and 1 with aorto-duodenal fistula. The duration of recurrence was 1 to 55 months(mean: 15.7$\pm$ 16.2 months). 7 patients underwent the second operation and among them, 4 patients showed repeated recurrences. Overall, 5 patients died 2 to 25 months after the operation(mean: 13.6 months), because of the bleeding at the anastomosis site Five patients did not present recurrence after the first(n=2) or the second operation(n=3) and their follow up duration was 5 to 60 months(mean: 45.8$\pm$41.7 months). Five patients received immune-suppressive therapy after the first(n=2) and second operation(n=3). Three did not shown recurrence for the 13, 29 and 33 months. Conclusion: Post-operative prognosis of arterial manifestation of Behcet's syndrome was not encouraging and if possible, other treatment strategy should be considered.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.375-395
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Lingual nerve (LN) damage may be caused by either tumor resection or injury such as wisdom tooth extraction, Although autologous nerve graft is sometimes used to repair the damaged nerve, it has the disadvantage of necessity of another operation for nerve harvesting. Moreover, the results of nerve grafting is not satisfactory. The nerve growth factor (NGF) is well-known to play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration and its local delivery to the injured nerve has been continuously tried to enhance nerve regeneration. However, its application has limitations like repeated administration due to short half life of 30 minutes and an in vivo delivery model must allow for direct and local delivery. The aim of this study was to construct a well-functioning $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus for the ultimate development of improved method to promote peripheral nerve regeneration with enhanced and extended secretion of hNGF from the injured nerve by injecting $rhNGF-{\beta}$ gene directly into crush-injured LN in rat model. Materials and Methods: $hNGF-{\beta}$ gene was prepared from fetal brain cDNA library and cloned into E1/E3 deleted adenoviral vector which contains green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene as a reporter. After large scale production and purification of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, transfection efficiency and its expression at various cells (primary cultured Schwann cells, HEK293 cells, Schwann cell lines, NIH3T3 and CRH cells) were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy, RT-PCR, ELISA, immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the function of rhNGF-beta, which was secreted from various cells infected with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, was evaluated using neuritogenesis of PC-12 cells. For in vivo evaluation of efficacy of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus, the LNs of 8-week old rats were exposed and crush-injured with a small hemostat for 10 seconds. After the injury, $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus($2{\mu}l,\;1.5{\times}10^{11}pfu$) or saline was administered into the crushed site in the experimental (n=24) and the control group (n=24), respectively. Sham operation of another group of rats (n=9) was performed without administration of either saline or adenovirus. The taste recovery and the change of fungiform papilla were studied at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Each of the 6 animals was tested with different solutions (0.1M NaCl, 0.1M sucrose, 0.01M QHCl, or 0.01M HCl) by two-bottle test paradigm and the number of papilla was counted using SEM picture of tongue dorsum. LN was explored at the same interval as taste study and evaluated electro-physiologically (peak voltage and nerve conduction velocity) and histomorphometrically (axon count, myelin thickness). Results: The recombinant adenovirus vector carrying $rhNGF-{\beta}$ was constructed and confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequence analysis. GFP expression was observed in 90% of $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells compared with uninfected cells. Total mRNA isolated from $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected cells showed strong RT-PCR band, however uninfected or LacZ recombinant adenovirus infected cells did not. NGF quantification by ELISA showed a maximal release of $18865.4{\pm}310.9pg/ml$ NGF at the 4th day and stably continued till 14 days by $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cells. PC-12 cells exposed to media with $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus infected Schwann cell revealed at the same level of neurite-extension as the commercial NGF did. $rhNGF-{\beta}$ adenovirus injected experimental groups in comparison to the control group exhibited different taste preference ratio. Salty, sweet and sour taste preference ratio were significantly different after 2 weeks from the beginning of the experiment, which were similar to the sham group, but not to the control group.