• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Re-epithelialization has an important role in skin wound healing. Astaxanthin (ASX), a carotenoid found in crustaceans including shrimp, crab, and salmon, has been widely used for skin protection. Therefore, we investigated the effects of ASX on proliferation and migration of human skin keratinocyte cells and explored the mechanism associated with that migration. MATERIAL/METHOD: HaCaT keratinocyte cells were exposed to $0.25-1{\mu}g/mL$ of ASX. Proliferation of keratinocytes was analyzed by using MTT assays and flow cytometry. Keratinocyte migration was determined by using a scratch wound-healing assay. A mechanism for regulation of migration was explored via immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Our results suggest that ASX produces no significant toxicity in human keratinocyte cells. Cell-cycle analysis on ASX-treated keratinocytes demonstrated a significant increase in keratinocyte cell proliferation at the S phase. In addition, ASX increased keratinocyte motility across the wound space in a time-dependent manner. The mechanism by which ASX increased keratinocyte migration was associated with induction of filopodia and formation of lamellipodia, as well as with increased Cdc42 and Rac1 activation and decreased RhoA activation. CONCLUSIONS: ASX stimulates the migration of keratinocytes through Cdc42, Rac1 activation and RhoA inhibition. ASX has a positive role in the re-epithelialization of wounds. Our results may encourage further in vivo and clinical study into the development of ASX as a potential agent for wound repair.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.635-640
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• 2021

Background Injuries to the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are common and complex. However, the treatment of osteochondral defects of the head of the proximal phalanx has rarely been described. Herein, we propose a new technique for the management of unicondylar defects of the proximal phalanx that can restore joint amplitudes and provide PIP stability. Methods In this cadaveric feasibility study, unicondylar defects were generated using striking wedges and chisels. First, a transverse tunnel measuring 2 mm in diameter passing through the head of the proximal phalanx was made. A second tunnel at the base of the middle phalanx with the same diameter was then created. The hemitendon of the flexor carpi radialis graft was passed through each of these tunnels. The proximal end of the graft was interposed in the area with a loss of bone substance. The ligamentoplasty was then tensed and fixed by two anchors on the proximal phalanx. Joint amplitudes and frontal stability were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Results There was no significant change in the joint's range of motion: preoperatively, the mean mobility arcs were -2° to 113.80°, and they were -2° to 110° after the procedure (P=0.999). There was no significant difference in joint stability (P>0.05). Conclusions Ligamentoplasty with PIP interposition appears to be a possible solution for the management of unicondylar defects of the proximal phalanx. An evaluation of clinical results is planned in order to definitively confirm the validity of this procedure.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.268-275
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• 2021

Background: The study aimed to evaluate nasal reconstruction techniques customized for Asians. The currently available nasal reconstruction guidelines are based on Caucasian patients, and their applicability is limited in Asian patients due to differences in anatomical and structural features. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of the medical records of 76 patients who underwent nasal reconstruction at a single center between January 2010 and June 2020. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted of patients' baseline demographics and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, medical history, defect size and location, reconstructive procedure, pathological diagnosis, postoperative complications, and recurrence. Results: In 59 cases (77%), nasal defects resulted from tumor ablation, and the remaining 17 cases involved post-traumatic (20%) and infection-induced (3%) tissue damage. The most common defect location was the alae, followed by the sidewalls, tip, and dorsum. Forehead flaps were the most commonly used reconstructive technique, followed by nasolabial advancement flaps, rotation flaps, and skin grafts. Each procedure was applied considering aspects of structural anatomy and healing physiology specific to Asians. Complications included nasal deformity, hypertrophic scarring, secondary infection, and partial flap necrosis, but no cases required additional surgical procedures. Tumors recurred in two cases, but tumor recurrence did not significantly affect flap integrity. Conclusion: Nasal reconstruction techniques applied considering Asians' facial features resulted in fewer postoperative complications and higher patient satisfaction than the approaches that are currently in widespread use. Therefore, this study is expected to serve as an essential reference for establishing treatment guidelines for nasal reconstruction in Asians.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2019

Background: Glenoid baseplate location is important to good clinical outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). The glenoid vault is the determining factor for glenoid baseplate location, but, to date, there are no reports on the effect of central cage location within the glenoid vault on RTSA outcomes when using the $Exactech^{(R)}$ $Equinoxe^{(R)}$ Reverse System. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate cage location in relation to the glenoid vault and monitor for vault and/or cortex penetration by the cage. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from the Samsung Medical Center (SMC) and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH). Patients who underwent RTSA between November 2016 and February 2018 were enrolled. Glenoid vault depth, central cage location within the vault were examined. Inferior glenoid rim-center distance, inferior glenoid rim-cage distance, and center-cage center distances were collected. Results: Twenty-two patients were enrolled. Three SNUBH patients had inappropriate central cage fixation (33.3%) versus 4 SMC patients (30.8%). All cage exposures were superior and posterior to the glenoid vault. Mean center-cage distance was 5.0 mm in the SNUBH group and 5.21 mm in the SMC group. Center-prosthesis distance was significantly longer in the inappropriate fixation group than in the appropriate fixation group (p<0.024). Conclusions: To ensure appropriate glenoid baseplate fixation within the glenoid vault, especially in a small glenoid, the surgeon should place the cage lower than usually targeted, and it should overhang the inferior glenoid rim.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.572-576
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• 2019

Bisphosphonates are the mainstay of therapy worldwide for osteoporosis. However, bisphosphonates also have limitations. The objective of this study was to determine the role of miR-101-3p/Rap1b signal pathway in osteoclast differentiation after treatment with bisphosphonates. Our results revealed that miR-101-3p was an important regulator in bisphosphonates treated-osteoclasts. When miR-101-3p was down-regulated in bone marrow-derived macrophage-like cells (BMMs), the development of mature osteoclasts was promoted, and vice versa. However, alendronate decreased multinucleated cell number regardless of whether miR-101-3p was knocked down or over-expressed. TRAP activity assay confirmed the above results. Luciferase assay indicated that miR-101-3p was a negative regulator of Rap1b. Western blot analysis revealed that protein expression level of Rap1b in BMMs transfected with OV-miR-101-3p was lower than that in BMMs transfected with an empty vector. Rap1b overexpression increased TRAP-positive multinucleated cells, while Rap1b inhibition decreased the cell numbers. In vivo data showed that miR-101-3p inhibited osteoclast differentiation in ovariectomized mice while overexpressed of Rap1b blocked the differentiation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that miR-101-3p/Rap1b signal pathway plays a key role in osteoclast differentiation after treatment with bisphosphonates.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.11
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• pp.631-640
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• 2018

Nowadays computer-guided "flapless" surgery for implant placement using templates is gaining popularity among clinicians and patients. The advantages of this surgical protocol are its minimally invasive nature, accuracy of implant placement, predictability, less post-surgical discomfort and reduced time required for definitive rehabilitation. Aim of this study is to describe the digital implant protocol, thanks to which is now possible to do a mini-invasive static guided implant surgery. This is possible thanks to a procedure named surface mapping based on the matching between numerous points on the surface of patient's dental casts and the corresponding anatomical surface points in the CBCT data. With some critical points and needing an adequate learning curve, this protocol allows to select the ideal implant position in depth, inclination and mesio-distal distance between natural teeth and or other implants enabling a very safe and predictable rehabilitation compared with conventional surgery. It represents a good tool for the best compromise between anatomy, function and aesthetic, able to guarantee better results in all clinical situations.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2021

Currently, hospitals and medical practices have a large amount of unstructured information, gathered in time at each ward or practice by physicians in a wide range of medical branches. The data requires processing in order to be able to extract relevant information, which can be used to improve the medical system. It is useful for a physician to have access to a patient's entire medical history when he or she is in an emergency situation, as relevant information can be found about the patient's problems such as: allergies to various medications, personal history, or hereditary collateral conditions etc. If the information exists in a structured form, the detection of diseases based on specific symptoms is much easier, faster and with a higher degree of accuracy. Thus, physicians may investigate certain pathological profiles and conduct cohort clinical trials, including comparing the profile of a particular patient with other similar profiles that already have a confirmed diagnosis. Involving information technology in this field will change so the time which the physicians should spend in front of the computer into a much more beneficial one, providing them with the possibility for more interaction with the patient while listening to the patient's needs. The expert system, described in the paper, is an application for medical diagnostic of the most frequently met conditions, based on logical programming and on the theory of probabilities. The system rationale is a search item in the field basic knowledge on the condition. The web application described in the paper is implemented for the ward of pathological anatomy of a hospital in Romania. It aims to ease the healthcare staff's work, to create a connection of communication at one click between the necessary wards and to reduce the time lost with bureaucratic proceedings. The software (made in PHP programming language, by writing directly in the source code) is developed in order to ease the healthcare staff's activity, being created in a simpler and as elegant way as possible.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.67-90
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• 2019

Objectives : This study aims to summarize Tang Zong-hai's Qi transformation theory of the Six meridians through his book "Shanghanlun Qianzhubuzheng傷寒論淺注補正" where he integrated Western anatomy with the Qi transformation theory of East Asian Medicine to interpret Zhang Zhong Jing's "Shanghanlun(傷寒論)". The objective is to assist clinical application. Methods : Focusing on the contents of disease of the six meridians in the "傷寒論淺注補正", Tang's theories on the function of Zangfu(臟腑), Opening-Closing-Pivot(關闔樞), Inter-communication of Zangfu(臟腑相通), the Twelve Meridians(十二經脈) from his other publication "中西匯通醫經精義" were examined and related to in the process of explaining Qi transformation theory in detail. Results : 1. The Qi transformation function of the Taiyang meridian is related to "膀胱者, 氣化則能出" where the Small Intestine and Bladder inter-communicate. 2. The Qi transformation function of the Yangming meridian is related to the control of dryness and dampness through the Qi transformation of "陽明不從標本, 從乎中." 3. The Qi transformation function of the Shaoyang meridian is related to the Life-Fire function of the Triple Energizer-Gallbladder-Pericardium coalition through "少陽屬腎." 4. The Qi transformation function of the Taiyang meridian refers to the Heart Fire nurturing the Spleen Earth by creating 膏油 through veins. 5. The Qi transformation function of the Shaoyin meridian is related to the controlling of the Nutrient Qi(營氣) and Defense Qi(衛氣) through '心主血脈, 腎主元氣.' 6. The Qi transformation function of the Jueyin meridian is related to the ability of 和風 which results from '陰盡陽生' to harmonize and control the balance of Water Coldness(水冷) and Fire Heat(火熱). Conclusions : Tang's Qi Transformation Theory of the Six Meridians is his key theory explained from the perspective of Qi transformation of disease in the six meridians of "Shanghanlun", closely related to basic theories such as theory of Zang form(臟象學說), Opening-Closing-Pivot(關闔樞), Inter-communication of Zangfu(臟腑相通), the Twelve Meridians(十二經脈) of East Asian Medicine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to introduce the types and contents of books related to acupuncture published in North Korea that can be identified in South Korea, and to understand the general characteristics of North Korean acupuncture. Methods : Firstly, we identified books related to acupuncture in the Information Center on North Korea of the National Library of Korea. Specialized books on treatment interventions such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, electrotherapy, and manual therapy including acupressure which stimulate acupoints were included in the study. Two authors reviewed the title, table of contents, and contents of each book in the order of publication year for the searched books. Based on this, the characteristics and trends of North Korean acupuncture were comprehensively examined. Results : The included 18 books were published between 1964 and 2018. One of them was considered a Chinese book translated into Korean and published in China, and another was a North Korean book republished by a South Korean publisher. Except for these, all were published in North Korea, two of which were translations of Chinese books. Most of them were books on the theory and clinical applications of acupuncture, but some of them focused on specific treatment interventions such as auricular acupuncture, fire needling, manual therapy, cupping, or electrotherapy. Also, there was a book about the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia in a neurophysiological way. Conclusions : Since the mid-1960s, North Korea has been steadily attempting to combine acupuncture and Western medicine by applying the disease name and classification system of Western medicine, using modern diagnostic technique, and explaining the mechanism of acupuncture based on the latest research. After the 2000s, the standard international acupuncture nomenclature by World Health Organization was used. In recent years, there has been a tendency to publish and widely disseminate specialized books on non-pharmacological treatment such as cupping, electrotherapy, and fire needling.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.19-28
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• 2021

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a method commonly used for early diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal lesions. However, 10-20 percent of the gastric lesions are reported to be missed, due to human error. And countries including the US, the UK, and Japan, the World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) suggested guidelines about essential gastrointestinal parts to take pictures of so that all gastric lesions are observed. In this paper, we propose deep learning techniques for classification of anatomical sites, aiming for the system that informs practitioners whether they successfully did the gastroscopy without blind spots. The proposed model uses pre-processing modules and data augmentation techniques suitable for gastroscopy images. Not only does the experiment result with a maximum F1 score of 99.6%, but it also shows a error rate of less than 4% based on the actual data. Given the performance results, we found the model to be explainable with the potential to be utilized in the clinical area.