• Korean Journal of Audiology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.191-197
• /
• 2020

Background and Objectives: Autophagy is known to be associated with pathogen infection. However, the expression of autophagy-related proteins has not been studied in chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma (COM) or with cholesteatoma (CholeOM). This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference between COM and CholeOM in autophagy-related gene mRNA expression. Subjects and Methods: For 47 patients with chronic otitis media, the inflammatory tissues were classified into granulation tissue (COM) or cholesteatoma (CholeOM) according to biopsy results. Results: PI3K mRNA expression (COM vs. CholeOM, mean±SD, 0.009±0.010 vs. 0.003±0.004; p=0.004) was lower, whereas Beclin-1 mRNA expression (0.089±0.107 vs. 0.176±0.163; p=0.034) was higher in the CholeOM group. Expression of PI3K mRNA in the CholeOM group was lower than that in the COM subgroups with presence of bacteria (0.022±0.019 vs. 0.001±0.001; p=0.001), otorrhea (0.049±0.068 vs. 0.003±0.004; p=0.004), and hearing loss over 40 dB (0.083±0.130 vs. 0.003±0.004; p=0.005). Conclusions: The data suggested that different autophagy proteins play important roles in chronic otitis media according to the presence or absence of cholesteatoma.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.400-404
• /
• 2022

A 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding presented with left laryngeal hemiplegia with a history of laryngoplasty (tie-back surgery) failure. Postoperative endoscopy revealed no abduction or no inflammatory changes in the left arytenoid cartilage. The owner opted for the horse to undergo partial arytenoidectomy due to failed laryngoplasty. A tracheostomy tube was intubated through a mid-cervical tracheotomy to secure the airway under general anesthesia, and; laryngotomy was performed to access the arytenoid cartilage in dorsal recumbency. A partial arytenoidectomy was performed with endoscopic assistance through the left nostril, and the left arytenoid cartilage was removed, excluding the muscular process. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents were administered postoperatively, and the incision site was cleaned using normal saline and antibiotic ointment twice daily. On the 12th postoperative day, endoscopy revealed redundant corniculate process mucosa at the surgical site, which was removed using rongeur forceps directly through the previous laryngotomy incision. The horse showed no significant complications during the hospitalization. Two months after surgery, the surgical site reportedly recovered with no evidence of granulation tissue. The horse returned to training and racing 3 and 7 months postoperatively, respectively. This is the first case report of a partial arytenoidectomy in a horse in South Korea. In this case, the horse returned to training after partial arytenoidectomy without significant complications, indicating that partial arytenoidectomy could be beneficial for failed laryngoplasty.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.156-164
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to provide an overview of the prevalence of the complications of a gastrostomy or a gastrojejunostomy with a low-profile gastric tube in children. The study also examined the effect of presence of the gastrostomy tube on the prevalence of complications. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, parents were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Children aged 0-16 years with a low-profile gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy tube were included in the study. Results: A total of 67 complete surveys were conducted. The mean age of the included children was seven years. The most common complications during the past week, were skin irritation (35.8%), abdominal pain (34.3%), and the formation of granulation tissue (29.9%). The most common complications during the past six months were skin irritation (47.8%), vomiting (43.4%), and abdominal pain (38.8%). Most complications occurred within the first year after gastrojejunostomy placement and gradually decreased as the duration since the placement of the gastrojejunostomy tube increased. The prevalence of severe complications was rare. Parental confidence in caring for the gastrostomy positively correlated with increases in the duration of the gastrostomy tube. Even so, parental confidence in the care of the gastrostomy tube was reduced in some parents more than a year after its placement. Conclusion: The prevalence of gastrojejunostomy complications in children is relatively high. The incidences of severe complications after the placement of a gastrojejunostomy tube were rare in this study. A lack of confidence in the care of the gastrostomy tube was noted in some parents more than a year after its placement.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.1003-1013
• /
• 2021

Thioredoxin (TRX) protein is an antioxidant responsible for reducing other proteins by exchanging cysteine thiol-disulfide and is also known for its anti-allergic and anti-aging properties. On the other hand, epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an important material used in the cosmetics industry and an essential protein necessary for dermal wound healing facilitated by the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. EGF also assists in the formation of granulation tissues and stimulates the motility of fibroblasts. Hence, genetically modified soybeans were developed to overexpress these industrially important proteins for mass production. A single-dose oral-toxicity-based study was conducted to evaluate the potential toxic effects of TRX and EGF proteins, as safety assessments are necessary for the commercial use of seed-specific protein-expressing transgenic soybeans. To achieve this rationale, TRX and EGF proteins were mass purified from recombinant E. coli. The single-dose oral-toxicity tests of the TRX and EGF proteins were carried out in six-week old male and female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. The initial evaluation of the single-dose TRF and EGF treatments was based on monitoring the toxicity signatures and mortality rates among the mice, and the resultant mortality rates did not show any specific clinical symptoms related to the proteins. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the weights between the treatment and control groups of male and female ICR mice. After 14 days of treatment, no differences were observed in the autopsy reports between the various treatment and control groups. These results suggest that the minimum lethal dose of TRX and EGF proteins is higher than the allowed 2,000 mg·kg^-1 limit.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.206-209
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Since its implementation, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBS) has played an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial tree and pulmonary disease. Although FBS is often performed by endoscopists, it has also been performed by surgeons, albeit rarely. This study investigated FBS from the surgeon's perspective. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent FBS performed by a single thoracic surgeon between March 2017 and December 2021. Accordingly, the epidemiology, purpose, results, and complications of FBS were analyzed. Results: A total of 47 patients received FBS, whereas 13 patients underwent repeat FBS. Their mean age was 60.7 years. The main organs injured involved the chest (n=22), brain (n=9), abdominal organ (n=7), cervical spine (n=4), extremities (n=4), and face (n=1). The average Injury Severity Score was 22.5. Indications for FBS included atelectasis or haziness on chest x-ray (n=34), pneumonia (n=17), difficult ventilator management (n=7), percutaneous dilatory tracheostomy (n=3), blood aspiration (n=2), foreign body removal (n=2), and intubation due to a difficult airway (n=1). The findings of FBS were mucous plugs (n=36), blood and blood clots (n=16), percutaneous dilatory tracheostomy (n=3), foreign bodies (n=2), granulation tissue at the tracheostomy site (n=2), tracheostomy tube malposition (n=1), bronchus spasm (n=1), difficult airway intubation (n=1), and negative findings (n=5). None of the patients developed complications. Conclusions: FBS is an important modality in the trauma field that allows for the possibility of diagnosis and therapy. With sufficient practice, surgeons may safely perform FBS at the bedside with relative ease.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate changes in rabbit liver parenchyma on MR images following percutaneous Holmium-166 injection, and to correlate those changes with histologic findings. Materials and methods. Holmium-166 (10-25 mCi) was percutaneously injected into the liver of rabbit (n=12) under sonographic guidance. MR images were obtained between one to two weeks (acute phasea) after the injection in four rabbits, and between two to four weeks (subacute phase) after the injection in four rabbits. Tissue specimens of these eight rabbits were obtained immediately after MR imaging. Tissue specimens were obtained without MR imaging in four rabbits (between one to two weeks in one rabbit and between three to four weeks in three rabbits). Results : Tissue specimens showed central liquefactive necrosis and peripheral coagulative necrosis containing deposition of small particles and hemorrhage. The peripheral margin of the lesions showed formation of the granulation tissue with fibrosis, which tended to be more prominent in subacute phase. The area of the necrosis tended to correlate with the dose of the radioactive Holmium-166. On MR images, the central portion of the necrosis showed hyperintensity on 72-weighted image, hypointensity on the precontrast T1-weighted images, and no enhancement on the dynamic MR images. The peripheral portion of the necrosis showed hypointensity on T2-weighted images, iso or mild hypointensity on the T1-weighted images, and mild peripheral enhancement on the delayed dynamic MR images. The peripheral margin of the lesion showed hypointensity on both T1- and T1-weighted images with increased enhancement on the delayed phase images of the dynamic MR images. Conclusion : After percutaneous Holmium-166 injection into rabbit liver parenchyma, the central portion showed liquefactive necrosis, the peripheral portion showed coagulative necrosis with granulation, fibrosis, hemorrhage and depostition of small granules. MR imaging may be helpful in evaluation of the histological change of the liver after percutaneous Holmium-166 treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.647-651
• /
• 2010

The advantages of the $CO_2$ laser are offset by the delay in laser wound healing secondary to thermal damage. To minimize the undesirable thermal damage of the $CO_2$ laser, investigators have developed technical advances in the delivery system of the laser energy. This study compared tissue healing of the continuous and the pulsed modes $CO_2$ laser wounds in an animal surgery model. Five healthy Landrace and Yorkshire mixed breeds of both genders were used (45-51 kg, 4-6 months old, three males and two females). A full thickness wound of skin ($2{\times}2{\times}2cm^2$) was made over on the each pig's both sides of dorsal midline at 0, 7, 14, and 18 days. The wounds created at 18, 14, 7 and 0 days were named post-wounding day (PWD) 3, 7, 14 and 21, respectively. In each pig, one wound (left side) was treated pulsed $CO_2$ laser and the other wound (right side) was treated continuous wave $CO_2$ laser. Each wound was closed with two interrupted suture of 3-0 sutures. At 21 days after initial wounding, each wound was taken for histological evaluations. The degrees of reepithelialization were performed more prominently in the pulsed mode group than in the continuous mode group. The degrees of granulation were greater significantly in pulsed mode group than those in the continuous mode on PWD 3 (p < 0.05). The degrees of fibroblasts in the pulsed mode group were greater significantly in comparison to those in the continuous mode group on PWD 7, (p < 0.05). In conclusion, reepithelialization, granulation and fibroblasts in the pulsed mode group were greater markedly in comparison to those in the continuous mode group. It was considered that pulsed mode $CO_2$ laser was more suitable for the skin incision than the continuous mode $CO_2$ laser.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.512-517
• /
• 2005

Purpose : In adults, endoscopic tracheobronchial balloon dilatation and stenting have become valuable methods to establish and maintain an adequate airway lumen when tracheomalacia or neoplastic growth compromise the airways. But in children, only a few cases were reported due to technical problems. We report six children who were treated with stent implantation and describe the use and safety of airway stents. Methods : Six patients with severe airway obstruction were treated. We investigated the underlying medical problems, stenotic site, symptomatic improvement and complications, and the size and location of stent. Results : The median age of the six patients was 21 months. Three of them were mechanically ventilated and one had an endotracheal tube to maintain the patency of airway. Diagnoses were : congenital tracheal stenosis with or without bronchomalacia, granulation tissue formation after right upper lobectomy by bronchial carcinoid or after prolonged intubation, endobronchial tuberculosis, and airway compression by mediastinal undifferentiated sarcoma. Nitinol stents were implanted in the airway guided by bronchoscopy and fluoroscopy simultaneously. Three cases were placed in trachea, the others were in the bronchus. After stent implantation, all patients showed marked improvements of their airway obstructive symptoms. Four patients are doing well, although two expired due to underlying diseases. Four patients had granulation tissue formation around stents, but that was tolerable after removing the stent. Conclusion : We suggest that the use of expandible metallic stent implantation can offer safe therapeutic option even in extremely severe, life threatening and inoperable airway stenosis in children.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.294-301
• /
• 2003

This study was performed to compare the effects of hydrocolloid(Duoderm$\circledR$, HC in this study) and hydrogel (Nu-Gel$\circledR$, HG in this study) occlusive dressing materials on degree of exudate, wound contraction, epithelialization, and healing of full-thickness skin wound in dogs. Three wounds measuring 2${\times}$2 cm in size were created bilaterally(6 wounds/dog) on the dorsolateral aspect of the trunk of 12 dogs. In each dog, the wounds were treated with HC, HG, and normal saline, respectively. For a 4 week period, the wounds were evaluated gross aspects and histopathological aspects. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups in percentage of wound contraction, percentage of epithelialization, and percentage of wound total healing during the first week. Significant differences were first detected on day 14. On day l4(P < 0.01) and 21 (P < 0.05), mean percentage of epithelialization of HG-treated wound was significantly greater than those in HC- and normal saline-treated wound. Mean percentage of wound contraction of HG-treated wound was significantly greater than that in HC- and control wounds on day 21(P< 0.05). On day 21, mean percentage of wound healing of HG-treated wound was significantly greater than that in HC- and control wounds(P < 0.02). On day 1, 4, and 7 after wound creation, although severe infiltration of PMN (polymorphonuclear leukocyte) cells in HC- and control wounds were observed in the subcutis and moderate infiltration of PMN cells in HG-treated wound were observed in the subcutis, we did not detect significant differences. On day 14 after wounding creation, in the wounds treated with HG dressing, epithelial cells were found over the surface, and edema further decreased in the tissue under the wounds, and the granulation tissue was replaced with collagen fibers. On day 21 after wound creation, in HG-treated wound compared with other experimental material-treated wounds, regenerated epidermis covered most of the wound surface, and the granulation tissue was more replaced with collagen fibers than that on day 14. Overall results indicated that the use of hydrogel dressing materials(Nu-Gel$\circledR$) as hydrocolloid dressing (Duoderm$\circledR$) materials and normal saline treatment on full-thickness skin wounds in dogs increased the rate of healing at repair stage.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.72 no.6
• /
• pp.486-492
• /
• 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze clinical situations requiring rigid bronchoscopy and evaluate usefulness of rigid bronchoscopic intervention in benign or malignant airway disorders. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy from November 2007 to February 2011 at St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine. Results: Of the 29 patients, the most frequent underlying etiology was benign stenosis of trachea (n=20). Of those 20 patients, 16 had post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS), 2 had tracheal stenosis due to inhalation burn (IBTS) and other 2 had obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP). Other etiologies were airway malignancy (n=6), endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis (n=2), and foreign body (n=1). For treatment, silicone stent insertion was done in 16 cases of PITS and IBTS and mechanical removal was performed in 2 cases of OFTP. In 6 cases of malignant airway obstruction mechanical debulking was performed and silicone stents were inserted additionally in 2 cases. Balloon dilatation and electrocautery were used in 2 cases of endobronchial stenosis due to tuberculosis. In all cases of stent, airway obstructive symptom improved immediately. Granulation tissue formation was the most common complication. Conclusion: Tracheal stenosis was most common indication and silicone stenting was most common procedure of rigid bronchoscopy in our center. Rigid bronchoscopic procedures, at least tracheal silicone stenting, should be included in pulmonary medicine fellowship programs because it is a very effective and indispensable method to relieve critical airway obstruction which needs training to learn.