• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.82-101
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• 2023

This study is to identify the maintenance service quality of eco-friendly cars, which are rapidly increasing recently. Research is conducted by synthesizing research from the perspectives of internal employees and external customers by using the service profit chain model. Specifically, it is to study the overall structural relationship between internal customer satisfaction, physical quality, interaction quality, outcome quality, external customer satisfaction and long-term orientation. For the study, 202 questionnaires were collected from internal employees and 204 questionnaires from external customers. The results of testing the research hypotheses targeting the internal employee group are as follows. As a result of testing hypothesis 1, internal customer satisfaction has a significant positive (+) effect on physical quality and interaction quality. As a result of testing hypothesis 2, the service quality of eco-friendly car maintenance has a significant positive (+) effect on each other. As a result of testing hypothesis 3, physical quality and outcome quality have a significant positive (+) effect on external customer satisfaction. The results of testing the research hypotheses targeting an external customer group are as follows. As a result of testing hypothesis 2, in the relationship between eco-friendly car maintenance service quality, physical quality has a significant positive (+) effect on interaction quality, and interaction quality has a significant positive (+) effect on outcome quality. As a result of testing hypothesis 3, interaction quality and outcome quality have a significant positive (+) effect on external customer satisfaction. As a result of testing Hypothesis 4, external customer satisfaction has a significant positive (+) effect only on intention to reuse. Finally, as a result of examining the difference in perception between the internal employee group and the external customer group in eco-friendly car maintenance service quality and external customer satisfaction, it was verified that there was a significant difference only in outcome quality and external customer satisfaction.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.350-365
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Extra hepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) is the most common cause of portal hypertension in Indian children. While endoscopy is the primary modality of management, a subset of patients require surgery. This study aims to report the short- and long-term outcomes of EHPVO patients managed surgically. Methods: All the patients with EHPVO who underwent surgery between August 2007 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative complications were classified after Clavien-Dindo. Binary logistic regression in Wald methodology was used to determine the predictive factors responsible for unfavourable outcome. Results: Total of 202 patients with EHPVO were operated. Mean age of patients was 20.30 ± 9.96 years, and duration of illness, 90.05 ± 75.13 months. Most common indication for surgery was portal biliopathy (n = 59, 29.2%), followed by bleeding (n = 50, 24.8%). Total of 166 patients (82.2%) had shunt procedure. Splenectomy with esophagogastric devascularization was the second most common surgery (n = 20, 9.9%). Nine major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo > 3) were observed in 8 patients (4.0%), including 1 (0.5%) operative death. After a median follow-up of 56 months (15-156 months), 166 patients (82.2%) had favourable outcome. In multivariate analysis, associated splenic artery aneurysm (p = 0.007), isolated gastric varices (p = 0.004), preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and stenting (p = 0.015), and shunt occlusion (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of unfavourable long-term outcome. Conclusions: Surgery in EHPVO is safe, affords excellent short- and long-term outcome in patients with symptomatic EHPVO, and may be considered for secondary prophylaxis.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.210-217
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• 2012

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to analyze the current literatures and to assess outcomes of implant treatment in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Studies considered for inclusion were searched in Pub-Med. The literature search for studies published in English between 2000 and 2012 was performed. Our findings included literature assessing implant treatment in patients with a history of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP). All studies were screened according to inclusion criteria. The outcome measures were survival rate of superstructures, marginal bone loss around implant and survival rate of implants. All studies were divided into two follow-up period: short term study (< 5 years) and long term study (${\geq}5$ years). RESULTS. Seven prospective studies were selected, including four short-term and three long-term studies. The survival rates of the superstructures were generally high in patients with GAP, i.e. 95.9-100%. Marginal bone loss around implant in patients with GAP as compared with implants in patients with chronic periodontitis or periodontally healthy patients was not significantly greater in short term studies but was significantly greater in long term studies. In short term studies, the survival rates of implants were between 97.4% and 100% in patients with GAP-associated tooth loss, except one study. The survival rates of implants were between 83.3% and 96% in patients with GAP in long term studies. CONCLUSION. Implant treatment in patients with GAP is not contraindicated provided that adequate infection control and an individualized maintenance program are assured.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mid to long-term clinical and radiological outcome of vascularized pronator quadratus-wrapped radial bone flap arthroplasty for symptomatic advanced $Kienb{\ddot{o}}ck's$ disease. Between 1982 and 2000, 41 cases of advanced $Kienb{\ddot{o}}ck's$ disease were treated with vascularized pronator quadratus wrapped radial bone flap arthroplasty. There were 17 men and 24 women, with a mean age of 39 years at the time of operation. According to Lichtman's classification, there were 13 stage IIIb and 28 stage IV patients. The duration of follow-up averaged 6.1 ($3{\sim}22$) years. We assessed the clinical outcome by subjective pain and active range of motion of the wrist, and evaluated the radiologic outcome by using carpal height ratio and radioscaphoid angle. Postoperatively, all patient reported an improvement in their symptoms. The mean active extension and flexion were improved by $9^{\circ}$ and $6^{\circ}$, respectively (p<0.05). The carpal height ratio was decreased from a mean of 0.52 to 0.48, and the radioscahpoid angle was increased from a mean of $61^{\circ}$ to $66^{\circ}$, but the differences were not significant statistically. Vascularized pronator quadratus-wrapped radial bone flap arthroplasty improves the wrist motion and may prevent serious carpal collapse in advanced $Kienb{\ddot{o}}ck's$ Disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2011

Objective : We retrospectively evaluated the prognostic factors that can influence long-term survival in patients who suffered acute large cerebral infarction. Methods : Between June 2003 and October 2008, a total of 178 patients were diagnosed with a large cerebral infarction, and, among them, 122 patients were alive one month after the onset of stroke. We investigated the multiple factors that might have influenced the life expectancies of these 122 patients. Results : The mean age of the patients was $70{\pm}13.4$ years and the mean survival was $41.7{\pm}2.8$ months. The mean survival of the poor functional outcome group ($mRS{\geq}4$) was $33.9{\pm}3.3$ months, whereas that of the good functional outcome group ($mRS{\leq}3$) was $58.6{\pm}2.6$ months (p value=0.000). The mean survival of the older patients (270 years) was $29.7{\pm}3.4$ months, whereas that of the younger patients (<70 years) was much better as $58.9{\pm}3.2$ months (p value=0.000). Involvement of ACA or PCA territory in MCA infarction is also a poor prognostic factor (p value=0.021). But, other factors that are also known as significant predictors of poor survival (male gender, hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, a previous history of stroke, smoking, and dyslipidemia) did not significantly influence the mean survival time in the current study. Conclusion : Age (older versus younger than 70 years old) and functional outcome at one month could be critical prognostic factors for survival after acute large cerebral infarction. Involvement of ACA or PCA territory is also an important poor prognostic factor in patients with MCA territorial infarction.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2009

Seizures are the most common clinical symptom of a neurologic insult and have long been recognized as an obvious marker of brain dysfunction in newborns. Presence of seizures in newborn infants may signify substantial risk for subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment including postneonatal epilepsy and death. The outcomes of seizures in neonates are determined mainly by the etiology of the seizures. Despite the decreasing trend of mortality of neonatal seizures, the prevalence of long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae in survivors has remained unchanged over time. Clinical studies have contributed to identifying significant prognostic factors for neurodevelopmental outcome. The underlying etiology of the seizures and electroencepaphalography background pattern are considered as most reliable early predictors of later neurologic sequelae. However, clinicians managing neonatal seizures are still challenged by difficult therapeutic and prognostic questions because of many unresolved issues in seizure recognition, terminology, relationships to the underlying brain lesion, effect of current management, particularly antiepileptic drugs on long-term outcomes. This review presents the prognosis of neonatal seizures, especially about mortality and neurodevelopmental deficit, and predictors of outcomes.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Biliary atresia (BA) is the result of fibrosing destructive inflammatory process affecting intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, which lead to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Kasai portoenterostomy has been the standard operative procedure in biliary atresia. Recently, there has been remarkable increase in the survival rate in cases of BA. However, long-term survivors are not clearly evaluated in Korea. To define long-term prognosis factors of patients who underwent surgery for BA, a retrospective study was undertaken of 10 (37 %) patients surviving more than 10 years among 27 patients who underwent one of Kasai procedures between 1981 and 1995. Hepatomegaly was present in 4 and splenomegaly in 7 patients. Serum bilirubin was normalized at 1 year after operation. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), Alanine aminotransferase(ALT, GPT) were normalized at 12 years and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was normalized at 13.5 years. Cholangitis developed mainly within 5 years after operation so close follow up is needed. Life long follow-up is needed because of progressive deterioration of liver function even after 10 years.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.350-354
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study is to assess the immediate and long-term efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty for treating painful vertebral osteoporotic fractures. Methods : A retrospective review of 149patients who had undergone 167 vertebroplasty procedures for osteoporotic fractures was performed. Clinical, radiologic, and procedural datas were analyzed as parameters of prognostic significance, including age, sex, bone marrow density score, symptom duration, bone cement filling grade, number of fractured vertebrae, compression grade of vertebrae, leakage of bone cement, volume of bone cement injected and complications. Results : In 158 of the 167 procedures assessed, immediate pain relief was obtained [94.6%]. The extent of collapse of the vertebral body was assessed as a parameter for prognostic significance [p=0.015]. Three months postoperatively, no improvement of the pain was observed in four of the 167 procedures that had undergone the vertebroplasty [2%]. At long-term follow-up, the improvement of pain was not correlated with the compression grade of vertebrae [p=0.420]. Conclusion : The immediate outcome of vertebroplasty are less effective in vertebrae more collapsed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2014

Objective : To prove the extents and details of cervical degeneration after anterior microforaminotomy (AMF) with 6-years follow-up. Methods : A retrospective study of 24 patients, underwent single-level AMF, was performed. Clinical and radiologic data were analyzed with office charts, questionaires, and picture achieving and communication system images. Results : According to Odom's criteria, 91.6% achieved favorable outcome. The mean visual analog scale score was improved from 8.6 to 3, and the mean neck disability index was improved from 27.9 to 7.3 (p<0.01). Eighteen cases (75%) showed disc height (DH) decrease. The disc invasion was correlated with DH decrease (p<0.05). The disc height decrease correlated with static, dynamic changes of shell angle and spur formation (p<0.05). Any radiological parameters did not affect the clinical outcome. Conclusion : AMF is an effective technique for treating unilateral cervical radiculopathy. It showed excellent surgical outcomes even in long-term follow-ups. However, a decrease in DH occurred in a considerable number of patients. Disc invasion during surgery may be the trigger of sequential degeneration.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.230-237
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• 2021

Functional constipation is common in the paediatric population all over the world. Effective disimpaction to evacuate the impacted faecal matter forms an essential initial step in the management of constipation. Though different regimens of polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes (PEG+E) are accepted as the prime medication for disimpaction, response is not always satisfactory. A randomised prospective study was undertaken, in a tertiary paediatric Gastroenterology centre to find out the outcome of a 2-day disimpaction when a stimulant laxative sodium picosulphate was added to PEG3350+E (PEG+E+PS group) and comparing it with the outcome using PEG3350+E (PEG+E group) alone. Hundred and one children were randomised into two groups to receive PEG+E+PS and PEG+E. Results revealed that PEG+E+PS group proved significantly superior to PEG+E group in most of the efficacy-parameters in terms of disimpaction as well as long-term management of constipation. Though stimulant laxatives are being used for disimpaction, comparative data are lacking. This was the 1st such comparative study looking at the efficacy of these two processes of disimpaction along with long term effect on treatment.