• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.71-75
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• 2016

Esophageal candidiasis is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients; however, candida esophagitis induced stricture is a very rare complication. We report the first case of esophageal stricture secondary to candidiasis in a glycogen storage disease (GSD) 1b child. The patient was diagnosed with GSD type 1b by liver biopsy. No mutation was found in the G6PC gene, but SLC37A4 gene sequencing revealed a compound heterozygous mutation (p.R28H and p.W107X, which was a novel mutation). The patient's absolute neutrophil count was continuously under $1,000/{\mu}L$ when he was over 6 years of age. He was admitted frequently for recurrent fever and infection, and frequently received intravenous antibiotics, antifungal agents. He complained of persistent dysphagia beginning at age 7 years. Esophageal stricture and multiple whitish patches were observed by endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy revealed numerous fungal hyphae consistent with candida esophagitis. He received esophageal balloon dilatation four times, and his symptoms improved.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2024

Alizarin dye, a persistent and hazardous contaminant in aquatic environments, presents a pressing environmental concern. In the quest for efficient removal methods, adsorption has emerged as a versatile and sustainable approach. This study focuses on the development and application of Zinc Oxide/Nickel Oxide (ZnO/NiO) nano-composites as adsorbents for alizarin dye removal. These semiconducting metal oxide nano-composites exhibit synergistic properties, offering enhanced adsorption capabilities. Key parameters affecting alizarin removal, such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH, and temperature, were systematically investigated. Notably, the ZnO/NiO nano-composite demonstrated superior performance, with a maximum alizarin removal percentage of 76.9 % at pH 6. The adsorption process followed a monolayer pattern, as suggested by the Langmuir model. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model provided a good fit to the experimental data. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the process is endothermic and thermodynamically favorable. These findings underscore the potential of ZnO/NiO nano-composites as effective and sustainable adsorbents for alizarin dye removal, with promising applications in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• v.1
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• pp.253-256
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• 2006

When the background tropospheric ozone column over the Pacific Ocean is subtracted from the latitudinal total ozone distribution, the results show remarkable agreement with the latitudinal stratospheric ozone distribution using the CCD. The latitudinal tropospheric ozone distribution using the CCD method, with a persistent maximum over the southern tropical Atlantic, is also seen in the latitudinal tropospheric ozone distribution using the T-P method. It suggests that the CCD method can be replaced by the simple T-P method. However, the tropical Atlantic paradox exists in the results of both the CCD and T-P methods during the northern burning season. In order to investigate this paradox, we compare the latitudinal ozone distributions using the CCD and T-P methods by using the SAGE measurements (e.g. TSA method) and the SHADOZ ozonesoundings (e.g. T-S method) assuming zonally invariant stratospheric ozone, which is the same assumption as of the CCD method. During the northern burning season, the latitudinal distributions in the tropospheric ozone derived from the T-SA and T-S methods show higher tropospheric ozone over the northern tropical Atlantic than the southern Atlantic due to a stronger gradient in stratospheric ozone relative to that from the CCD and T-P methods. This indicates that the latitudinal tropospheric ozone distribution can be changed depending on the data that is used to determine the latitudinal stratospheric ozone distribution. Therefore, there is a possibility that the north-south gradient in stratospheric ozone over the Atlantic can be a solution of the paradox.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.124-135
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• 2017

Background In cases of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) threatened by potential hardware exposure, flap-based reconstruction is indicated to provide durable coverage. Historically, muscle flaps were favored as they provide vascular tissue to an infected wound bed. However, data comparing the performance of muscle versus fasciocutaneous flaps are limited and reflect a lack of consensus regarding the optimal management of these wounds. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of muscle versus fasciocutaneous flaps following the salvage of compromised TKA. Methods A systematic search and meta-analysis were performed to identify patients with TKA who underwent either pedicled muscle or fasciocutaneous flap coverage of periprosthetic knee defects. Studies evaluating implant/limb salvage rates, ambulatory function, complications, and donor-site morbidity were included in the comparative analysis. Results A total of 18 articles, corresponding to 172 flaps (119 muscle flaps and 53 fasciocutaneous flaps) were reviewed. Rates of implant salvage (88.8% vs. 90.1%, P=0.05) and limb salvage (89.8% vs. 100%, P=0.14) were comparable in each cohort. While overall complication rates were similar (47.3% vs. 44%, P=0.78), the rates of persistent infection (16.4% vs. 0%, P=0.14) and recurrent infection (9.1% vs. 4%, P=0.94) tended to be higher in the muscle flap cohort. Notably, functional outcomes and ambulation rates were sparingly reported. Conclusions Rates of limb and prosthetic salvage were comparable following muscle or fasciocutaneous flap coverage of compromised TKA. The functional morbidity associated with muscle flap harvest, however, may support the use of fasciocutaneous flaps for coverage of these defects, particularly in young patients and/or high-performance athletes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.800-808
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• 2005

It is required to propose an alternatives for appropriate sludge treatment owing to persistent construction of sewage treatment plant and increase of sewage sludge quantity. In order to treat sludge more efficiently, the methods which reduce the cost of sludge treatment have been studied such as sludge reduction and conditioning. Especially ozone treatment reduces solid quantity and improves separation of solid-liquid at the same time. Therefore ozone treatment have a positive effect on reduction and stabilization of sludge. So, this study applied ozone to sewage sludge and induced cell destruction of sludge. By comparing with the correlation between thickening and dewatering, and evaluating moisture content and solubilization of cake, this study verificates the effect of process improvement for ozone pre-treatment. In J-STP case, according to ozone dose solid flux increased about 12 times from $1kg/m^2{\cdot}h$ to $12kg/m^2{\cdot}h$. Also this plant were capable to shorten thickening time from 40 minutes to 6~7 minutes. Thus it is expected to reduce volume and retention time of thickener. On pH effect factor, dewatering at pH4 was more than at pH11, $3.05{\times}10^{11}$ and $3.82{\times}10^{11}(m/kg)$. But effect of pH was analogous to ozone, $2.81{\times}10^{11}(m/kg)$. The effect of pH on thickening was similar to law sludge, $0.68(kg/m^2{\cdot}h)$, and the effect of ozone injection on thickening was the biggest, $3.45(kg/m^2{\cdot}h)$. The COD solubilization rate improved from about 5 to 30%. So it is judged that we are able to utilize most solubilized sludge to another sewage treatment plants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.181-188
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• 2017

Purpose: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Erythropoietin (EPO) is emerging as a therapeutic candidate for neuroprotection. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the neuroprotective role of recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) and the possible mechanisms by which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), JNK, and p38 MAPK is modulated in cultured cortical neuronal cells and astrocytes. Methods: Primary neuronal cells and astrocytes were prepared from cortices of ICR mouse embryos and divided into the normoxic, hypoxia (H), and hypoxia-pretreated with EPO (H+EPO) groups. The phosphorylation of MAPK pathway was quantified using western blot, and the apoptosis was assessed by caspase-3 measurement and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Results: All MAPK pathway signals were activated by hypoxia in the neuronal cells and astrocytes (P<0.05). In the neuronal cells, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2 and apoptosis were significantly decreased in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). In the astrocytes, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2, p38 MAPK, and apoptosis was reduced in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment with rHuEPO exerts neuroprotective effects against hypoxic injury reducing apoptosis by caspase-dependent mechanisms. Pathologic, persistent ERK activation after hypoxic injury may be attenuateed by pretreatment with EPO supporting that EPO may regulate apoptosis by affecting ERK pathways.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to explore the various aspects of the fatigue in the mothers of infants and toddlers in descriptive study. Three hundred eighty mothers who visited the public primary health care center in subrural area were enrolled from October, 2001 to June, 2002. Data were collected using a questionnaire titled 'Symptom Table on Fatigue Perception' designed by the Fatigue Research Committee of Japan, consisted of a total 30 items categorized into three subdimensions: the physical, the psychological and the neuro-sensory. SPSS was used for the analysis of data with 0.05 of significance. The results were as follows: 1. The mean average fatigue score of subjects was 1.81(SD:.41): the physical fatigue revealed the highest value with a mean of 1.92(SD:.50), followed by psychological fatigue with a mean score of 1.79(SD:.48), neuro- sensory fatigue with a mean of 1.72(SD:.44). 2. With the respect to the general characteristics of subjects, there were statistically significant differences in the mothers' fatigue perception by with or without a job or not(t=2.213, p=.028), the number of children(t=-2.157, p=.032), the degree of spouse support in domestic households(F=3.315, p=.045), the degree of spouse support in the care of children(F=12.616, p=.000), and the amount of sleeping time(t=.130, p=.000). These results suggest that health care professional need to be aware of the persistent presence of the maternal fatigue related to the child rearing and the factors worsen the degree of the fatigue.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.217-225
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• 2009

As Pain is a comprehensive, biopsy chosocial phenomenon, improved understanding and successful management of pain need assessment of health-related quality of life and psychological states. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pain severity and pain-related interference to daily lives for patients with non-dental, orofacial pain(OFP) and a possible relation of OFP with psychological morbidity. Relation with such factors as gender, age, pain duration and diagnosis was also assessed. Inclusion criteria was all new patients with non-dental OFP attending the oral medicine.orofacial pain clinic of Dankook University Dental Hospital over 3 months' period, who completed the questionnaires of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Prior to the first consultation, the patients were asked to fill out the questionnaire in the waiting room and were diagnosed through consultation and clinical examination. Total subjects were 163 with M:F ratio of 1:1.5 and mean age of 34.6${\pm}$17.7 years. Mean duration of pain was 13.3${\pm}$26.2 months and all patients were divided into; Trigeminal Neuralgia group (TN, N=8), Neuropathic Pain group (NeP, N=9), Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain group (PIFP, N=8), and Temporomandibular Disorders group (TMD, N=138), subdivided into muscle problem (TMD-m, N=73), joint problem (TMD-j, N=24) and muscle-joint combined problem (TMD-c, N=41). OFP patients showed moderate pain severity and moderate pain-related interference. There was no gender difference in overall pain severity and interference and levels of anxiety and depression. Elderly patients aged ${\geq}$ 60 years showed higher pain severity (p<0.05). Patients with chronic pain ${\geq}$ 3 months reported more increased level of anxiety and depression than those with acute pain (p<0.05). Compared to TMD patients, patients with TN, NeP and PIFP suffered from higher level of pain and pain-related interference and reported higher level of anxiety and depression (p<0.05). Pain interference was closely correlated with their pain severity and with psychometric properties such as anxiety and depression. Pain severity was weakly correlated with levels of anxiety and depression. The results suggest a need for psychosocial assessment and support for successful management of OFP in addition to control of pain itself.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 1990

We have experienced 62 cases of modified Fontan operations in Seoul Nat’l University Hospital from Apr. 1986 to Jul. 1989, They were 38 males and 24 females, and their age was ranged from 16 months to 15.5 years of age. [mean age : 5.73$\pm$2.99 years] There were 16 operative deaths and 2 late deaths, therefore 29% of overall mortality. Their diagnoses were as follows; 28 single ventricle, 11 tricuspid atresia, 6 DORV with LV hypoplasia, 3 pulmonary atresia with hypoplastic RV, 3 TGA with hypoplastic RV, 3 cor\ulcornerGA with hypoplastic LV and PA, 6 AV canal defects with PA, and 2 others. Low cardiac output and pleural effusion were developed frequently, so we divide 40 patients into some groups to analyze the physiologic and anatomic causes of them. By the degree of the LCO, group A was no LCO[mean amount of inotropics used: 0-5 \ulcornerg/kg/min] with 17 cases, B mild LCO [5-10] with 11, C moderate to severe LCO but alive[>10] with 8, D severe LCO to death with 4 cases. For the pleural effusion, group 1 was to be removed the chest tube within 1 week with 8 cases, group II within 3 weeks with 21 cases, group III beyond 3 weeks with 12 cases. We considered their age, diagnosis, pulmonary artery size[PA index], pulmonary artery abnormality, palliative shunt, systemic ventricular type, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, as preoperative factors, and operative methods, and as postoperative factors, CVP, LAP, arrhythmia, thrombosis, atrioventricular valvular insufficiency, etc. In the view of LCO, pulmonary artery size and PCWP were statistically significant [P<0.05], and arrhythmia, A-V valve insufficiency were inclined to the group C and D Pleural effusion was influenced by the pulmonary artery size, pulmonary artery resistance, PCWP, and CVP significantly. [P<0.05] And arrhythmia, residual shunt, and A-V valvular insufficiency were inclined to group II and III, too. As a results, the followings are to be reminded as the important factors at the care of post-Fontan LCO, and persistent pleural effusion [1] pulmonary artery size, [2] pulmonary artery resistance, [3] PCWP, [4] CVP, [5] arrhythmia, [6] residual shunt, [7]A-V valvular insufficiency.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.239-248
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• 2016

Background: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of chronic persistent post-surgical pain (CPPP) and the role of signal transduction genes in patients undergoing staging laparotomy for carcinoma ovary. Methods: The present observational study was undertaken following institutional ethical committee approval and informed consent from all the participants. A total 21 patients of ASA grade I to III with age 20-70 years, scheduled for elective staging laparotomy for carcinoma ovary were included. Patients were excluded if had other causes of pain, cognitive dysfunction or chronic neurological disorders. Statistical analysis of pool data was done using SPSS version-17. For various scales like GPE, PDQ, NPSI, the visual analogue scale (VAS), global perceived effect (GPE), the pain DETECT questionnaire (PDQ), and neuropathic pain symptoms inventory (NPSI), one factor repaeted measure ANOVA applied with simple contrast with baseline as on post-operative day 1 (considered as reference and compared with subsequent time-interval), and the P values were adjusted according to "Bonferroni adjustments". In patients with CPPP, the ${\Delta}ct$ values of mRNA expressions of genes at the end of postoperative day 90 were compared with the baseline control values by one factor repeated ANOVA. P value < 0.005 significant. Results: The present study demonstrates 38.1% (8 out of 21 patients) incidence of CPPP. The functional status and quality of life as were observed to be significantly diminished in all patients with chronic pain. An up-regulation in the mRNA expression of signal transduction and a positive correlation was noted between the mRNA expression of signal transduction genes and VAS score in all patients with CPPP at the end of postoperative day 90. Conclusions: The reported incidence of CPPP in patients with carcinoma ovary was 38.1%. An up-regulation and positive correlation between mRNA expression of signal transduction genes and VAS score depicts its potential role in the pathogenesis of CPPP.