• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 2022

Background: Ketamine is widely used in infants and young children for procedural sedation and anesthesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low dose oral ketamine to control pain and distress in children during intravenous (IV) cannulation. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, including children aged between 3 and 6 years requiring a non-emergent IV-line placement. Children were randomly assigned to two groups, treated either with oral ketamine or a placebo. All patients were monitored for vital signs. Pain was assessed using the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFS) scales and sedation using a 5-point sedation score. The facility of IV-line placement was measured by a 3-point scale. Adverse effects were recorded after 1 and 24 hours. Results: A total of 79 and 81 children were entered in the ketamine and placebo groups, respectively. The heart and respiratory rates increased significantly in the placebo group. The median CHEOPS 4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3, 4, P < 0.001) and WBFS 6 (95% CI: 4, 6, P < 0.001) scores decreased statistically in the ketamine group. IV-line placement was 50% easier in the ketamine group (95% CI: 37%, 63%, P < 0.001). No serious adverse effects were observed in all cases. Conclusions: Low dose oral ketamine effectively decreased the pain and distress during IV cannulation in children without any significant adverse reactions.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-407
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between clinical and laboratory parameters and complication status to predict which patients can be safely discharged from the hospital on the third postoperative day (POD). Materials and Methods: Data from a prospectively maintained database of 2,110 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent curative surgery were reviewed. The third POD vital signs, laboratory data, and details of the course after surgery were collected. Patients with grade II or higher complications after the third POD were considered unsuitable for early discharge. The performance metrics were calculated for all algorithm parameters. The proposed algorithm was tested using a validation dataset of consecutive patients from the same center. Results: Of 1,438 patients in the study cohort, 142 (9.9%) were considered unsuitable for early discharge. C-reactive protein level, body temperature, pulse rate, and neutrophil count had good performance metrics and were determined to be independent prognostic factors. An algorithm consisting of these 4 parameters had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.2-97.3), sensitivity of 80.3% (95% CI, 72.8-86.5), and specificity of 51.1% (95% CI, 48.3-53.8). Only 28 (1.9%) patients in the study cohort were classified as false negatives. In the validation dataset, the NPV was 93.7%, sensitivity was 66%, and 3.3% (17/512) of patients were classified as false negatives. Conclusions: Simple clinical and laboratory parameters obtained on the third POD can be used when making decisions regarding the safe early discharge of patients who underwent gastrectomy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.291-296
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• 2022

The therapeutic approach for colon injury has changed continuously with the evolution of management strategies for trauma patients. In general, immediate laparotomy can be considered in hemodynamically unstable patients with positive findings on extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma. However, in the case of hemodynamically stable patients, an additional evaluation like computed tomography (CT) is required. Surgical treatment is often required if prominent mesenteric extravasation, free fluid, bowel infarction, and/or colon wall perforation are observed. However, immediate intervention in hemodynamically stable patients without indications for surgical treatment remains questionable. Three patients with colon and mesocolon injuries caused by blunt trauma were treated by nonoperative management. At the time of admission, they were alert and their vital signs were stable. Colon and mesocolon injuries, large hematoma, colon wall edema, and/or ischemia were revealed on CT. However, no prominent mesenteric extravasation, free fluid, bowel infarction, and/or colon wall perforation were observed. In two cases, conservative treatment was performed without worsening abdominal pain or laboratory tests. Follow-up CT showed improvement without additional treatment. In the third case, follow-up CT and percutaneous drainage were performed in considering the persistent left abdominal discomfort, fever, and elevated inflammatory markers of the patient. After that, outpatient CT showed improvement of the hematoma. In conclusion, nonoperative management can be considered as a therapeutic option for mesocolon and colon injuries caused by blunt trauma of selected cases, despite the presence of large hematoma and ischemia, if there are no clear indications for immediate intervention.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.61-65
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• 2021

Although re-expansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is rare (incidence rate <1%), it is associated with a mortality rate of >20%; therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are important. We report a case of RPE following chest tube insertion in a patient with spontaneous pneumothorax. We have specifically focused on the mechanism underlying RPE and the possible etiology. An 82-year-old man with a history of chronic anemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension was referred to the emergency department for management of recurrent right-sided pneumothorax. We performed emergency closed thoracostomy for suspected tension pneumothorax, which led to stabilization of the patient's vital signs; however, he coughed up frothy pink sputum accompanied by severe right-sided chest pain 30 min postoperatively. The patient showed new-onset right pulmonary consolidation on chest radiography, as well as desaturation, tachycardia, and tachypnea and was diagnosed with RPE. He was transferred to the intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation and supportive treatment using diuretics, ionotropic agents, and prophylactic antibiotics. RPE gradually resolved, and the patient was extubated 3 days after admission. He has not experienced recurrent pneumothorax or pulmonary disease for 4 months. We emphasize the importance of RPE prevention and that aggressive ventilator care and supportive treatment can effectively treat RPE following an accurate understanding of the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms and risk factors.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-40
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• 2023

Penetrating wounds to the face are cosmetically devastating and can be life-threatening. If the foreign body causing the penetrating wound is a piece of wood, small remnants might be left behind after the initial treatment. A 33-year-old male patient presented to the emergency center after a piece of lumber pierced his face as a passenger in a traffic accident. The patient's vital signs were stable, and emergency surgery was performed to remove the foreign body and repair the soft tissue. No noteworthy complications were seen after open reduction and internal fixation of the facial bone fractures. Seven months after the accident, the patient underwent scar revision along with full-thickness skin grafting for post-traumatic scars. After the surgery, pus-like discharge which was not previously present was observed, and the graft did not take well. A residual foreign body, which was the cause of graft failure, was found on computed tomography and the remaining foreign body was removed through revision surgery. The patient is receiving outpatient follow-up without any complications 6 months after surgery. This case demonstrates the importance of performing a careful evaluation to avoid missing a residual foreign body, especially if it is of wooden nature.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to identify the present level and needs of clinical dental hygienists and to present the Borich needs assessment and the locus for focus model as integrated priorities. Methods: The participants of this study were dental hygienists working in dental clinics (hospitals). The final data of the 194 participants were analyzed using frequency analysis and a paired sample t-test. To analyze the need for clinical dental hygienists to perform work, the Borich priority determination formula was used. The x-y plane consisting of four quadrants was used to analyze the need using the locus for focus model, which helps to determine the priority while showing visual effects. Results: "Scaling" was the highest required level for clinical dental hygienists, and "panorama taking" was the highest present level. The priorities of educational needs were systematically and visually derived from dental hygienists who were currently working through the Borich needs assessment and the locus for focus model for each task performed in the clinical field. Through the priorities of these two models, a total of 13 items appeared in the common high-level area; "oral health care (disability)," "oral health care (systemic disease)," "applying a rubber dam," "professional mechanical tooth cleaning," "root planing," "taking vital signs," "medication counseling," "wire cutting," "removing cement after removing band/bracket," "delivering bracket," "preparing mini-screw implantation," "dental insurance claim," and "patient reception." Conclusion: Based on the results, the department of dental hygiene should maintain and improve the standardized clinical practice curriculum and clinical dental hygienists' practical skills and contribute to the realization of the legal scope of dental hygienists, reflecting the requirements of clinical fields.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1050-1061
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• 2023

This study reported the case of a patient with quadriparesis due to cerebral aneurysm rupture, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) treated with Korean medicine. The patient was treated with acupuncture, herbal medicine (mainly Tonggyuhwalhyeol-tang-gagam), Western medicine, moxibustion, cupping, and rehabilitative therapy for 75 days, and improved after administration. After treatment, the Manual Muscle Test grade improved from 4/4-/3+/3 to 4+/4+/4+/4+, the Korean version of the modified Barthel Index score improved from 9 to 100, the National Institute of Health's Stroke Scale score improved from 2 to 0, the Global Deterioration Scale score improved from 3 to 2, and the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination score improved from 22 to 30. During administration, the patient did not show seizures, shock, or loss of consciousness, and the vital signs were stable in the normal range. We followed up the brain computed tomography findings for 2 times and found that there was no definite evidence of intracranial hemorrhage or IVH or re-rupture or rebleeding after Korean medicine treatment. This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment with blood-invigorating and stasis-removing herbs could be a safe and effective intervention option for improving quadriparesis due to cerebral aneurysm rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.909-917
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• 2023

Semiotic theory plays a vital role in the cognition of realistic films. Realistic films aim to reflect events and situations in real life, and arouse the audience's thinking about real problems through realistic depiction. In this process, the theory of semiotics helps to reveal the symbolic elements in the film and the profound meaning behind them. This study focused on the realism movie 도 가 니 "(Silenced), on the basis of the theory of saussure's semiotics, combined with its proposed the concept of "signifier" and "mean", through the study of arbitrariness and secondary film symbol sign system, designed to dig deeper into the symbolic meanings in the movie, and their cultural significance and social evaluation. By analyzing the implied narrative structure, meaning structure and ideology in the film, this paper probes into the influence and effect of mass culture on society and reveals the potential information conveyed by symbols in the film. This study aims to provide creative insights and explanations to provide useful references for research in related fields.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2024

Background: The rising incidence of dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has underscored the need for collaboration between plastic surgeons and nephrologists, particularly concerning preoperative and postoperative management for facial reconstruction. This collaboration is essential due to a scarcity of comprehensive information in this domain. Methods: A study initiated in January 2015 involved 10 ESRD cases on dialysis undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery for facial skin cancer, followed by reconstructive surgery under general anesthesia. To ensure surgical safety, rigorous measures were enacted, encompassing laboratory testing, nephrology consultations, and preoperative dialysis admission. Throughout surgery, meticulous control was exercised over vital signs, electrolytes, bleeding risk, and pain management (excluding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Postoperative assessments included monitoring flap integrity, hematoma formation, infection, and cardiovascular risk through plasma creatinine levels. Results: Adherence to the proposed guidelines yielded a notable absence of postoperative wound complications. Postoperative plasma creatinine levels exhibited an average decrease of 1.10 mg/dL compared to preoperative levels, indicating improved renal function. Importantly, no cardiopulmonary complications or 30-day mortality were observed. In ESRD patients, creatinine levels decreased significantly postoperatively compared to the preoperative levels (p< 0.05), indicating favorable outcomes. Conclusion: The consistent application of guidelines for admission, anesthesia, and surgery yielded robust and stable outcomes across all patients. In particular, the findings support the importance of adjusting dialysis schedules. Despite the limited sample size in this study, these findings underscore the effectiveness of a collaborative and meticulous approach for plastic surgeons performing surgery on dialysis-dependent patients, ensuring successful outcomes.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.38.1-38.16
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• 2024

Importance: Deaths due to neonatal calf diarrhea are still one of the most critical problems of cattle breeding worldwide. Determining the parameters that can predict diarrhea-related deaths in calves is especially important in terms of prognosis and treatment strategies for the disease. Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to determine mortality rates and durations, survival status, and predictive prognosis parameters based on vital signs, hematology, and blood gas analyses in neonatal diarrheic calves. Methods: The hospital automation system retrospectively obtained data from 89 neonatal diarrheic calves. Results: It was found that 42.7% (38/89) of the calves brought with the complaint of diarrhea died during hospitalization or after discharge. Short-term and long-term fatalities were a median of 9.25 hours and a median of 51.50 hours, respectively. When the data obtained from this study is evaluated, body temperature (℃), pH, base excess (mmol/L), and sodium bicarbonate (mmol/L) parameters were found to be lower, and hemoglobin (g/dL), hematocrit (%), lactate (mmol/L), chloride (mmol/L), sodium (mmol/L) and anion gap (mmol/L) parameters were found to be higher in dead calves compared to survivors. Accordingly, hypothermia, metabolic acidosis, and dehydration findings were seen as clinical conditions that should be considered. Logistic regression analysis showed that lactate (odds ratio, 1.429) and CI^- (odds ratio, 1.232) concentration were significant risk factors associated with death in calves with diarrhea. Conclusions and Relevance: According to the findings obtained from this study, the determination of lactate and Cl^- levels can be used as an adjunctive supplementary test in distinguishing calves with diarrhea with a good prognosis.