• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2011

Purpose: In neurofibromatosis patients, complete surgical excision of the mass is almost impossible and surgical treatment usually consists of multiple serial excisions that only result in a debulking effect. Remnant tumor mass has a gravitational effect on facial soft tissues that leads to sagging of skin and soft tissue, and eventually, facial disfigurement and asymmetry. The purpose of our surgical method is to perform soft tissue lifting with longer lasting effect with less surgical risk of damaging facial nerve and vessels. With external fixation using K-wire or surgical screw, the procedure only called for a short incision length and had additional adhesive properties that enabled anchoring of soft tissue in a lifted position for a longer postoperative period. Methods: A total of 5 neurofibromatosis patients (NF-1) visited our clinic for mass reduction and face lifting. The age of patients ranged from 13 to 42 (mean 28.8 years), and most patients had a long history of multiple excisions in the past. Face lifting was performed in 2 different areas, the periorbital area in 3 patients, and the midface in 2 patients. The materials used in fixation of retaining ligament were K-wire (n=3) and titanium screw (n=2). Results: Follow up period was from 5 month to 3 years and 1 month (mean=2 years and 1 month). All patients conveyed satisfaction with the results and no major complications were reported. The lifting effect lasted for as long as 3 years, and there were no complaints of relapse of soft tissue depression or sagging within the operated area. 1 patient (M/13) needed secondary k-wire insertion and additional mass excision in 1 year and 10 months postoperatively due to tumor growth. In two patients with K-wire fixation, mild dimpling and tenderness were observed in the follow up period, but in about 2 months postoperatively, dimpling was relieved and there was no need for removal of fixating material. Conclusion: Surgical lifting in neurofibromatosis patients can be challenging, for mass excision cannot be done completely and gravitational effect by residual mass can be persistent. External fixation of the retaining ligament in patients with neurofibromatosis can give satisfactory results-for incision length is relatively shorter, and the lifting effect can last longer compared to other various face lifting techniques.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2000

Purpose: Microsatellite instability(MSI) is frequently used as an indicator of microsatellite mutator phenotype(MMP) tumors. MSI has been observed in a percentage of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). However, its role in tumorigenesis of NSCLC remains unknown. The frequency and pattern of MSI in NSCLC were evaluated and clinical parameters of MSI-positive tumors with those of MSS(microsatellite stable) tumors were compared. Materials and Methods: Twenty surgically resected NSCLCs were analyzed for 15 microsatellite markers located at chromosomes 3p and 9p. The peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients were used as the source of the normal DNA. Results: 1) Of 20 cases, 8(40%) demonstrated MSI. 2) Instability was observed more frequently in tri- and tetra-nucleotide repeats than in dinucleotide repeats. In all cases, instability appeared as a shift of individual allelic bands. 3) LDH was observed in 10(50%) of 20 tumors analyzed. 4) Of 20 cases, MSI-H tumor(showing MSI in the majority of markers) was absent. There were 5 MSI-L tumors(showing MSI in a greater than 10% of markers). 5) No significant difference was observed between MSI-L tumors and MSI-negative tumors in terms of clinicopathologic features such as pack-year history of smoking, histologic subtype, and(delete) stage of disease. There was also no significant difference in the incidence of LDH in relation to the status of MSI. Conclusion: These data strongly suggest that MSI plays different roles in lung and colon cancer. MMP pathway appears to be far less important in the tumorigenesis of NSCLC, caused mainly by cigarette smoke, with little familial tendency.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.227-232
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• 2018

Purpose: Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common type of seizure in children between 6 months to 5 years of age. A family history of febrile seizures can increase the risk a child will have a FS. Yet, prevalence of FS regarding external environment has not been clearly proved. This study attempts to determine the association between prevalence of FS and weather. Methods: This study included medical records from the Korea National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Data were collected from 29,240 children, born after 2004, diagnosed with FS who were admitted to one of the hospitals in Seoul, Korea, between January 2009 and December 2013. During the corresponding time period, data from the Korea Meteorological Administration on daily monitoring of four meteorological factors (sea-level pressure, amount of precipitation, humidity and temperature) were collected. The relationships of FS prevalence and each meteorological factor will be designed using Poisson generalized additive model (GAM). Also, the contributory effect of viral infections on FS prevalence and weather will be discussed. Results: The amount of precipitation was divided into two groups for comparison: one with less than 5 mm and the other with equal to or more than 5 mm. As a result of Poisson GAM, higher prevalence of FS showed a correlation with smaller amount of precipitation. Smoothing function was used to classify the relationships between three variables (sea-level pressure, humidity, and temperature) and prevalence of FS. FS prevalence was correlated with lower sea-level pressure and lower humidity. FS prevalence was high in two temperature ranges (-7 to $-1^{\circ}C$ and $18-21^{\circ}C$). Conclusion: Low sea-level pressure, small amount of precipitation, and low relative air humidity may increase FS prevalence risk.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.710-717
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• 2012

A bioterrorism attack(BT) attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins used to cause illness or death in people, animal, and plants. Therefore, the healthcare workers are those who will take the main role in BT outbreak situations. The purpose of this study is to investigate current status of education for BT preparedness and response in health-related colleges. It is important to provide the BT preparedness and response to the health-allied students in case of unexpected BT outbreak. The questionnaires were collected from March 10 to June 10 in 2007 via mai l. Approximately 97.6% of the health-related professors answered that they had no experience of bioterrorism education. The contents of the bioterrorism curricula should contain the followings : definition and characteristics of the emergency and disaster, definition of bioterrorism, history of bioterrorism, general characteristics of bioterrorism, etiological agents of bioterrorism, bioterrorism response, systematic response, and medical response. Through these data, we will develop the disaster and bioterrorism preparedness curricula.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 1998

We measured the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic movements during abduction of the arm in the coronal plane with radiologic analysis in the 30 shoulders of normal male adults who were without pain, limitation of motion, and history of trauma. In the resting position, the glenoid cavity of the scapula faced somewhat superiorly in over 80 percents of the individuals, the mean superior tilting was 5.7 degrees. The mean total scapulothoracic movement was 65.8 degrees and the mean total glenohumeral movement was 106.8 degrees during abduction of arm in the coronal plane. The mean ratio of the glenohumeral movement to the scapulothoracic movement was 1.6 and this GH/ST ratio was decreased toward the extreme abduction. When the arm was abducted, external rotation of the humeral head occurred and this external rotation was increased smoothly during 0 degree through 90 degrees, but steeply above 90 degrees. The acromiohumeral interval was 10.9 mm at the resting positon, and this interval decreased during the arm abduction. The superior migration of the humeral head was 3.1 mm while abducting the arm. Our measurement of the relationships of glenohumeral and scapulothoracic movements at the coronal plane would be useful in the understandings of the biomechanics of shoulder, but further study would be required for the analysis of the three dimensional relationship because of the limitation of our two dimensional analysis.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical experience with arthroscopic debridement for septic arthritis of the shoulder joint and to report on our patient outcomes. Methods: The retrospective analysis included 36 shoulders (male:female, 15:21), contributed by 35 patients (mean age, 63.8 years) treated by arthroscopy for septic arthritis of the shoulder between November 2003 and February 2016. The mean follow-up period was 14.3 months (range, 12-33 months). An additional posterolateral portal and a 70° arthroscope was used to access the posteroinferior glenohumeral (GH) joint and posteroinferior subacromial (SA) space, respectively. Irrigation was performed with a large volume of fluid (25.1±8.1 L). Multiple suction drains (average, 3.3 drains) were inserted into the GH joint and SA space and removed 8.9±4.3 days after surgery. Intravenous antibiotics were administered for 3.9±1.8 weeks after surgery, followed by oral antibiotic treatment for another 3.6±1.9 weeks. Results: Among the 36 shoulders, reoperation was required in two cases (5.6%). The average range of motion achieved was 150.0° for forward flexion and T9 for internal rotation. The mean simple shoulder test score was 7.9±3.6 points. Nineteen shoulders (52.8%) had acupuncture or injection history prior to the infection. Pathogens were identified in 15 shoulders, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly identified pathogen (10/15). Both the GH joint and the SA space were involved in 21 shoulders, while 14 cases involved only the GH joint and one case involved only the SA space. Conclusions: Complete debridement using an additional posterolateral portal and 70° arthroscope, a large volume of irrigation with >20 L of saline, and multiple suction drains may reduce the reoperation rate.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.350-362
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• 2011

The principal objective of this study was to develop a scanning technique that helps patients reduce their anxiety and relax their physical tension in the MRI system. The study targeted 10 healthy persons with no medical history of anxiety disorder in the past and with no current clinically diagnosed anxiety disorder, as well as 10 patients who were currently experiencing an anxiety disorder during the MRI scanning. The focusing board assembly was self-manufactured to conduct a clinical experiment via MRI scans. As a method to confirm the efficacy of the experiment, the bio meter was used to measure brainwaves from the study targets that were divided into the normal person group (A), who felt no anxiety in the MRI system and the experimental group, (B) who did experience anxiety in the MRI system. The two groups were compared between the cases in which the focusing board assembly was used and not used after measurements were conducted using the model MRI system and the bio meter. According to the comparison and analysis results, low measurements of the ${\alpha}$ wave indicate highly effective relaxation of tension. In the normal person group, the ${\alpha}$ wave measurement showed almost no difference between cases in which the focusing board assembly was used and cases in which it was not used. In the experimental group, the $\acute{a}$ wave measurements were lower in cases in which the focusing board assembly was used than in cases in which the focusing board assembly was not used; this was indicative of a profound relaxation effect.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2017

The goal of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in pig farms in the Republic of Korea using logistic regression and a multilevel model. A cross-sectional study was applied to 305 pig farms with a questionnaire-based interview by veterinarians between March 2014 and February 2015. The questionnaire comprised eight categories: proximity to neighbors, disinfection, visitors, vehicles, insecticides, wild animals, gilts, and feeding. In total, 61 questions in eight categories related to pig farm biosecurity were investigated. Farms were classified as PRRS stable or unstable based on the results of an antibody test and PCR. For univariate analysis, keeping production records with computers (OR = 0.283, 95% CI = 0.056 - 1.425), accredited farm with no use of antibiotics (OR = 0.412, 95% CI = 0.134 - 1.269), reviewing health record of semen prior to purchasing (OR = 0.492, 95% CI = 0.152 - 1.589), complete isolation of runt pigs (OR = 0.264, 95% CI = 0.084 - 0.829), compulsory registering for visitors (OR = 0.424, 95% CI = 0.111 - 1.612), keeping records of insecticide history (OR = 0.406, 95% CI = 0.089 - 1.846), routine on-farm monitoring by veterinarians (OR = 0.314, 95% CI = 0.069 - 1.423), and use of on-farm checklist for biosecurity monitoring (OR = 0.313, 95% CI = 0.063 - 1.553) were found to decrease the probability of PRRS infection. Multivariate and multilevel analysis revealed only two factors, complete isolation of runt pigs (OR = 0.165, 95% CI = 0.045 - 0.602 and OR = 0.208, 95% CI = 0.055 - 0.782) and compulsory registering for visitors (OR = 0.106, 95% CI = 0.017 - 0.655 and OR = 0.119, 95% CI = 0.017 - 0.809) were found to decrease the probability of PRRS infection. The intracluster correlation coefficient of a province for multilevel model was 0.05. The results of this study might facilitate biosecurity measures for individual farms to reduce the probability of PRRS infection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7825-7829
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• 2015

Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV infection in the world (~14.7%). Around 10-15% of HCV-infected persons will advance to cirrhosis within the first 20 years. The incidence of HCC is expected to grow in the next two decades, largely due to HCV related cirrhosis, and detection of HCC at an early stage is critical for a favorable clinical outcome. No simple reliable non-invasive marker has been available till now. B2M, a non-glycosylated polypeptide composed of 99 amino acids, is one of the components of HLA class I molecules on the surfaces of all nucleated cells. It has been reported that the level of serum B2M is elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCV-related HCC when compared to HCV-negative patients or healthy donors. Determining the clinical utility of serum B2M as a marker for disease progression in Egyptian patients with HCV related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was the aim of the present study. Materials and Methods: In this analytical cross sectional study 92 participants were included in 4 equal groups: Group (1) non cirrhotic chronic HCV; Group (2) HCV related liver cirrhosis; Group (3) HCC on top of HCV,; and Group (4) healthy controls. History taking, clinical examination, routine labs and abdominal ultrasound were conducted for all patients, PCR and Metavir scores for group (1) patients, and triphasic CT abdomen and AFP for Group (3) patients. B2M levels were measured in serum with a fully-automated IMX system. Results: The mean serum B2M level of Group (1) was $4.25{\pm}1.48{\mu}g/ml$., Group (2) was $7.48{\pm}3.04$, Group (3) was $6.62{\pm}2.49$ and Group (4) was $1.62{\pm}0.63$. Serum B2M levels were significantly higher in diseased than control group (p<0.01) being significantly higher in cirrhosis ($7.48{\pm}3.04$) and HCC groups ($6.62{\pm}2.49$) than the HCV group ($4.25{\pm}1.48$) (p<0.01). There was a significant correlation between B2M Level and ALK, total and direct bilirubin and INR (p<0.05), and a significant inverse correlation between B2M level and albumin, total proteins, HB andWBCS values (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between B2M level and viral load or Metavir score, largest tumour size or AFP (p>0.05). The best B2M cut-off for HCV diagnosis was 2.6 with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. The best B2M cut-off for HCC diagnosis was 4.55 which yielded sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values of 74%, 62%, 39.5, 87.8% respectively (p-value <0.01) while best cut-off for cirrhosis was 4.9, with sensitivity 74 % and specificity 74%.The sensitivity for HCC diagnosis increased upon B2M and AFP combined estimation to 91%, specificity to 79%, NPV to 95% and accuracy to 83%. Conclusions: Serum B2M level is elevated in HCV related chronic liver diseases and may be used as a marker for HCV disease progression towards cirrhosis and carcinoma.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2001

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of 38-hour sleep deprivation on fine motor performance. The Motor Performance Series (MPS) in the Vienna Test System (computerized neurocognitive function tests) was used in this study. Methods: Twenty four subjects participated in this study. Subjects had no past history of psychiatric disorders and physical illness. Subjects had normal sleep-waking cycle without current sleep disturbances and were all right-handed (Annett's Hand Preference Questionnaire: above +9 points). To minimize the learning effects, familiarization with the Vienna Test System was performed one day before the study. Subjects were to get up at 6:00 in the morning after getting enough sleep according to his or her usual sleep-wake cycle. After awakening, subjects remained awake for 38 hours under continuous surveillance. During two consecutive study days, the subjects tested MPS at 7 AM and 7 PM each day, which means the MPS was done four times in total. During the experiment, anything that could affect the subjects' sleep such as coffee, tea, alcohol, a nap, tiring sports, and all medications were prohibited. Results: In MPS, the fine motor functions of both hands decreased after 38 hours of sleep deprivation. The decrement in motor performance was prominent in the dominant right hand. In the right hand, the total number of tapping was reduced (p<.005), and the number of misses (p<.05) and the length of misses (p<.05) of line tracking, the total length of inserting a short pin (p<.01), the total length of inserting a long pin (p<.05), and the number of misses in aiming (p<.05) increased. Such performance decrement was distinct in the morning sessions. Conclusions: These results suggest that fine motor performance decrement during sleep deprivation is predominant in the right hand, which exerts maximal motor function. The finding of decrement in motor function in tapping during sleep deprivation also suggested that the time required for exhaustion of muscles is shortened during sleep deprivation. More deterioration of motor performance was shown in the morning, which could be explained as circadian rhythm effects.