• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.4 s.249
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• pp.291-300
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• 2005

One-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects through median sternotomy has been recently adopted by many institutions since it is known to be safer than the staged repair. The early and midterm results of the one-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects were retrospectively evaluated. Material and Method: 45 patients who underwent one-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects performed by one surgeon from January 1996 to July 2003 were included in this retrospective study. The median age of repair was 16 days (range, 3 days$\~$23.7 months) and the mean weight was $3.62\;\pm\;1.30 kg$. Thirty one $(68.9\%)$ had coarctation and 14 $(31.1\%)$ had interrupted aortic arch. Associated intracardiac anomalies were VSD in 31 patients (VSD group), TGA or Taussig-Bing anomaly in 10 (TGA group), and others in 4 (ASD in 1, aortopulmonary window 1, truncus arteriosus 1, aortic and mitral stenoses 1, miscellaneous group). The arch obstruction was repaired with end-to-side anastomosis in 23 patients and end-to-end anastomosis in 22. Result: Overall postoperative hospital mortality was $22.2\%\;(10/45);\;16.1\%$ (5/31) in VSD group, $40\%$ (4/10) in TGA group, and$25\%$ (1/4) in miscellaneous group. There was no mortality in VSD group since 1998, and the mortality in TGA group has remarkably reduced since technical modification for coronary transfer was adopted $(75\%\;vs\;16.7\%)$. There was no postoperative seizure or other neurological complications. Postoperative aortic restenosis occurred in 5 patients $(5/35,\;14.3\%)$. Two patients underwent balloon aortoplasty with successful results. There was no reoperation. There was one late death caused by pneumonia 5 months after the operation. Two-year actuarial survival rate including operative death was $72.9\%$. Conclusion: The operative mortality of one-stage repair has been reduced with time and aortic restenosis rate was also acceptable. We concluded that this procedure is a reproducible procedure for aortic arch anomalies associated with intracardiac defects.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.659-664
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• 2006

Purpose : To evaluate the morbidity and mortality of children with status epilepticus(SE) as an initial seizure and to compare these according to age groups. Methods : The 78 cases(38 cases <2 years and 38 cases ${\geq}2$ years) with SE as an initial seizure admitted to the Chonnam national university hospital from Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2004 were reviewed. Developmental profiles, laboratory findings, etiologies and seizure types of SE and outcomes were compared in between two age groups, under and over 2 years. Results : SE occurred predominantly in less than 5 years old. Febrile causes were the most common, which is significantly more in those under 2 years than over 2 years(P<0.05). whereas idiopathic and acute symptomatic causes were more common in those over 2 years(P<0.05). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures was the most common type. The mortality rate was 6.4 percent(5 cases : 1 case <2 years and 4 cases ${\geq}2$ years). The estimated occurrence of epilepsy after SE was 24.4 percent(19 cases : 8 cases <2 years and 11 cases ${\geq}2$ years). The neurologic sequelae after SE in cases that had developed normally before SE(62 cases : 32 cases <2 years and 30 cases ${\geq}2$ years) were observed in 20 cases(32.3 percent), and were more frequent over 2 years(21.9 percent vs. 43.3 percent, P<0.05). Conclusion : In this study death was less common and the neurologic sequelaes of SE as an initial seizure were less severe in children under 2 years of age. The reason seemed to be the difference in the etiology of SE with age.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.704-712
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• 2008

Purpose : A prospective, controlled trial was conducted to evaluate growth, efficacy, safety and nutritional status for very low birth weight infants fed with human milk fortified with Maeil human milk fortifier (Maeil $HMF^{(R)}$; Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd.). Methods : We enrolled 45 premature infants with a birth weight <1,500 g and gestational age <33 weeks, who were born at Dong-A University Hospital from October, 2006 through December, 2007. They were divided into 2 groups: infants in one group were fed with human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$, and the second were fed with preterm formula. Growth, biochemical indices, feeding tolerance, and other adverse events in each group were assessed serially and compared relatively. Follow-up data were also collected after discharge at 1, 3, and 6 months corrected age. Results : Characteristics of the 2 groups including average gestational age, birth weight, sex, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, and other adverse events (sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity, and intraventricular hemorrhage) showed no significant difference. Average feeding start day ($8.00{\pm}3.27d$ vs. $8.86{\pm}5.37d$) (P=0.99) and the number of days required to reach full feeding after start feeding ($41.78{\pm}20.47d$ vs $36.86{\pm}20.63d$) (P=0.55) were not significantly different in the group fed human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$ when compared with the group that was fed preterm formula. The duration of total parenteral nutrition and the incidence of feeding intolerance also showed no differences between the 2 groups. Although infants fed with human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$ showed faster weight gain than those fed with preterm formula at the end stage of the admission period, other growth indices of the two groups showed no significant difference. No significant correlations were found between the 2 groups with regard to weight gain velocity, height gain velocity, head circumference velocity, and post-discharge follow up growth indices. Conclusion : Premature infants fed human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$ showed no significant difference compared with those fed preterm formula in growth, biochemical indices, and adverse events. Using human milk fortifier can be an alternative choice for very low birth weight infants, who need high levels nutritional support even after discharge from NICU.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.202-206
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• 2016

Oyster mushrooms are widely cultivated and consumed in Korea. P. ostreatus 'Suhan(ASI 2504)' is an ideal cultivar for mushroom farmers due to its dark pileus and thick stipe; however, as it is very sensitive to environmental conditions, an alternative cultivar is required. To develop a new cultivar, parental strains 'Suhan(ASI 2504)' and 'ASI 0665 (Heuktari)' were selected from various collected strains according to morphological characteristics. P. ostreatus 'Soltari' was developed by DiMon crossing between the dikaryotic strain 'Suhan' and the monokaryotic strain derived from 'Heuktari'. Thirty-eight of the 100 crossed strains were selected following analysis of mitochondrial genetic characteristics, and 'Soltari' was ultimately selected by continuous cultivation tests. The mitochondrial DNA profile of 'Soltari' was found to be the same as that of 'Heuktari, and a nuclear DNA profile of 'Soltari' was similar as those of the parental strains, 'Suhan' and 'Heuktari.' 'Soltari' mycelium grows adequately in moderate to high temperatures of $12-20^{\circ}C$, although its optimum temperature was found to be $30^{\circ}C$. Fruiting body production per 1.1-L cultivation bottle was approximately 158.8 g. Its stipe length and thickness were comparable to those of diameter and thickness were somewhat lower (42.72 vs. 51.33 mm and 18.18 vs. 22.46 mm, respectively). 'Soltari' was found to be more resistant to high $CO_2$ atmosphere than 'Suhan', and the color of the pileus of 'Soltari' was dark gray at high temperature. Therefore, it is suggested that this new cultivar 'Soltari' is a good alternative cultivar and will contribute to energy saving in oyster mushroom farms.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.138-145
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• 2009

Purpose : This study was aimed to evaluate the changes of immunologic parameters during hospitalization, and the relationship between IgG and other laboratory or clinical indices in patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). Methods : We reviewed the medical charts of 36 children with APSGN who showed ASO titer>250 Todd U/L and C3<70 mg/dL. We evaluated the levels of IgG and other laboratory parameters including C3 and ASO at admission and at discharge (14 cases). Results : The mean age of APSGN patients was $7.5{\pm}2.6$ year of age, and male-to-female ratio was 2.3:1. At presentation, hypertension (systolic blood pressure>125 mmHg), gross hematuria, and weight gain were observed in 27.8% (10/36), 80.1% (29/36), and 80% (24/30) of the patients, respectively. The mean IgG level was $1,432{\pm}322$ mg/dL ($1,025{\pm}234$ mg/dL in control group, P<0.001), and C3 and ASO levels were $26.1{\pm}16.1$ mg/dL and $1,068{\pm}730$ Todd U, respectively. There were no correlation between IgG level and the levels of any of the parameters analyzed (ASO, C3, BUN, creatinine and white blood cell count), and the severity of the disease assessed by the weight-change during admission. The patients aged<6 years of age (10 cases) had less degree of the weight-change, compared to those of the patients aged>8 years of age (15 cases) (-0.6% vs. -5.7%, P=0.01). The IgG and ASO levels did not change, but C3 (P=0.001) and IgM (P=0.02) levels increased during admission. Conclusion : Increased IgG and ASO levels in APSGN did not change, but C3 level increased during admission. IgG level was not correlated with other laboratory parameters (ASO and C3) and the severity of the disease. Younger children seem to have less severe clinical course compare to older children. With our hypothetic pathogenesis of APSGN, further studies are needed to resolve the pathogenesis of the disease including the increase of IgG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.541-549
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• 2008

Background: Vasoconstrictor-induced reduction in arterial graft diameter can cause significant flow deprivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vasodilator pretreatment on vasoconstrictor-induced blood vessel spasm in vitro. Material and Method: Rabbit brachial arteries (BA) and celiac arteries (CA) were cut into rings $(3{\sim}4mm)$ and suspended with a force displacement transducer (TSD $125C^{(R)}$, Biopac Inc. USA) in a tissue bath filled with 5 mL modified Krebs solution bubbled with 5% $CO_2$ and 95% $O_2\;at\;38^{\circ}C$. The rings were contracted with vasoconstrictors, and the developed tension changes were considered control values. The rings were then pre- treated with $30{\mu}M$ nitroglycerin, nicardipine, verapamil, and papaverine, respectively, for 40 minutes and rinsed with the physiologic buffered salt solution three times every 15 min. The vasoconstrictor-induced tension changes after the previous procedure were considered experimental values. Data are expressed as the percentage tension induced by vasoconstrictors before and after pretreatment with vasodilators. Result: Nicardipine depressed vasoconstriction induced by norepinephrine, angiotensin II (All), and U46619 in both the BA and the CA more significantly than did nitroglycerin (p<0.01) and verapamil (p<0.05). Verapamil depressed vasoconstriction induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT), All, and U46619 in the BA and by 5HT in the CA more significantly than did nitroglycerin (p<0.01). Conclusion: These findings suggest that both nicardipine and verapamil effectively depressed vasoconstrictor action. Nicardipine is thought to be more effective than verapamil for the prevention of vasoconstrictor action.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.228-234
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• 2006

Background : Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen associated with nosocomial infections in intensive care units, and is responsible for nosocomial pneumonia, UTI, bacteremia, etc. The main concern is that this pathogen is often resistant to many antimicrobial agents, particularly to carbapenem. This study compared the clinical those of ICU admitted patients with the carbapenem resistant A. baumannii isolated from the sputum with characteristics of patients with carbapenem sensitive A. baumannii. Methods : A total of 49 patients with A. baumannii from a sputum culture who were admitted to the ICU from January to December 2003 were enrolled in this study. This study evaluated the demographic variables, mortality, APACHE II score, comorbidity, antibiotics used, hospital and ICU stay, Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, and mechanical ventilation. A retrospective analysis was made by a review of the patients' medical records. Results : Carbapenem sensitive and resistant A. baumannii was isolated from 23 patients and 26 patients respectively. Univariate analysis revealed renal disease, the use of carbapenem and aminoglycoside to be statistically significant factors for carbapenem resistance. Multivariate analysis revealed carbapenem use(p=0.024; OR, 8.17; CI 1.32 to 50.68) to be positively associated with carbapenem resistance, and aminoglycoside use(p=0.026; OR, 0.18; CI, 0.04 to 0.82) to be negatively associated with carbapenem resistance. There was no significant difference in mortality between the carbapenem sensitive and resistant group(30 vs 42%. P=0.39). Conclusion : The occurrence of carbapenem resistant A. baumannii is positively associated with carbapenem use and negatively associated with aminoglycoside use. Carbapenem resistance in the sputum culture did not affect the mortality rate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2009

Background: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) ensures adequate gas exchange during bronchoscopy in spontaneously breathing, hypoxemic patients, thus avoiding endotracheal intubation. However, in some patients, endotracheal intubation is eventually required after bronchoscopy. This study investigated the incidence of intubation and predictors of a need for emergency intubation prior to NPPV bronchoscopy initiation. Methods: On a retrospective basis, we reviewed the medical records of 36 patients (median age, 55 years; interquartile range [IQR], 43~65 years) with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who required NPPV during bronchoscopy between January 2005 and October 2007. Results: All patients were hypoxemic (median $PaO_2/FiO_2$ ratio 155; IQR 90~190), but tolerated bronchoscopy with NPPV support. SOFA score and SAPS II score immediately before NPPV initiation were 4 (3~7) and 36 (30~42), respectively. Seventeen (47%) patients needed endotracheal intubation at a median time of 22 (2~50) hours after bronchoscopy. Patients who needed intubation after bronchoscopy had a higher in-hospital mortality (11 [65%] vs. 4 [21%], p=0.017). Upon multiple logistic regression analysis, the need for intubation after bronchoscopy was independently associated with a $P_aO_2/FiO_2$ ratio (OR, 0.961; 95% CI, 0.924~0.999; p=0.047) immediately before NPPV initiation for bronchoscopy. Conclusion: The severity of the hypoxemia immediately prior to NPPV initiation for bronchoscopy was associated with the need for intubation after bronchoscopy in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.551-557
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• 2013

In the present study, pristine carbon nanotube (p-CNT) and thiolated carbon naotube (t-CNT) electrodes were investigated to improve their detectabilities for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). In addition, we evaluate which reaction mechanism is used when the electrolyte contains both Cd and Pb metals. Square wave stripping was employed for analyzing the sensitivity for the metals. A frequency of 30 Hz, a deposition potential of -1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl and a deposition time of 300 s were used as optimal SWSV parameters. t-CNT electrodes show the better sensitivity for both Cd and Pb metals than that of p-CNT electrodes. In case of Cd, sensitivities of p-CNT and t-CNT electrodes were $3.1{\mu}A/{\mu}M$ and $4.6{\mu}A/{\mu}M$, respectively, while the sensitivities for Pb were $6.5{\mu}A/{\mu}M$ (p-CNT) and $9.9{\mu}A/{\mu}M$ (t-CNT), respectively. The better sensitivity of p-CNT electrodes is due to the enhancement in the reaction rate of metal ions that are facilitated by thiol groups attached on the surface of CNT. When sensitivity was measured for the detection of Cd and Pb metals present simultaneously in the electrolyte, Pb indicates better sensitivity than Cd irrespective of electrode types. It is ascribed to the low standard electrode potential of Pb, which then promotes the possibility of oxidation reaction of the Pb metal ions. In turn, the Pb metal ions are deposited on the electrode surface faster than that of Cd metal ions and cover the electrode surface during deposition step, and thus Pb metals that cover the large portion of the surface are more easily stripped than that of Cd metals during stripping step.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8607-8612
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer patients experience a variety of altered appearance - such as loss or disfigurement of breasts, discolored skin, and hair loss - which result in psychological distress that affect their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status on the altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life among Korean breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at advocacy events held at 16 different hospitals in Korea. Subjects were eligible to participate if they were 18 years of age or older, had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer, had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis, and had no psychological problems at the time of the survey. Employment status, marital status, education, and income were assessed for patient socioeconomic status. Altered appearance distress was measured using the NCI's cancer treatment side effects scale; body image and quality of life were measured by the EORTC QLC-C30 and BR23. Means and standard deviations of each outcome were compared by socioeconomic status and multivariate linear regression models for evaluating the association between socioeconomic status and altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life. Results: A total of 126 breast cancer patients participated in the study; the mean age of participants was 47.7 (SD=8.4). Of the total, 83.2% were married, 85.6% received more than high school education, 35.2% were employed, and 41% had more than $3000 in monthly household income. About 46% had mastectomy, and over 30% were receiving either chemotherapy or radiation therapy at the time of the survey. With fully adjusted models, the employed patients had significantly higher altered appearance distress (1.80 vs 1.48; p<0.05) and poorer body image (36.63 vs 51.69; p<0.05) compared to the patients who were unemployed. Higher education (10.58, standard error (SE)=7.63) and family income (12.88, SE=5.08) was positively associated with better body image after adjusting for age, disease stage at diagnosis, current treatment status, and breast surgery type. Similarly, patients who were married and who had higher education had better quality of life were statistically significant in the multivariate models. Conclusions: Socioeconomic status is significantly associated with altered appearance distress, body image, and quality of life in Korean women with breast cancer. Patients who suffer from altered appearance distress or lower body image are much more likely to experience psychosocial, physical, and functional problems than women who do not, therefore health care providers should be aware of the changes and distresses that these breast cancer patients go through and provide specific information and psychosocial support to socioeconomically more vulnerable patients.