• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.155-159
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• 2019

Radiological properties of newly introduced and existing 3-dimensional (3D) printing materials were evaluated by measuring their Hounsfield units (HUs) at varying infill densities. The six materials for 3D printing which consisted of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a unique ABS plastic blend manufactured by Zortrax (ULTRAT), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polylactic acid (PLA), and a thermoplastic polyester elastomer manufactured by Zortrax (FLEX) were used. We used computed tomography (CT) imaging to determine the HU values of each material, and thus assess its suitability for various applications in radiation oncology. We found that several material and infill density combinations resembled the HU values of fat, soft tissues, and lungs; however, none of the tested materials exhibited HU values similar to that of bone. These results will help researchers and clinicians develop more appropriate instruments for improving the quality of radiation therapy. Using optimized infill densities will help improve the quality of radiation therapy by producing customized instruments for each field of radiation therapy.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.132-137
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• 2019

The occurrence of hiatal hernia after total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction is rare. We report the case of a 76-year-old man who presented with dyspnea, vomiting, and fever around 8 days after total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a hiatal hernia containing part of the small intestine in the left thoracic cavity. Emergent reduction and repair of the hiatal hernia were performed later. Operative findings revealed that the Roux limb was incarcerated in the left pleural cavity. Esophagojejunostomy leakage, perforation of the small intestine with transient ischemic change, and pyothorax were also found. Thus, feeding jejunostomy, thoracoscopic decortication, and diversion T-tube esophagostomy were performed. Considering that the main cause of hiatal hernia is blunt dissection with division of the phrenoesophageal membrane, approximating the crus with 1 or 2 figure-8 sutures, according to the size of the defect, to prevent the incidence of hiatal hernia after total gastrectomy may be performed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.249-256
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• 2019

Steroids are commonly used in patients with eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis infections. The mechanism steroids act on eosinophilic meningitis remains unclear. In this mouse experiments, expressions of 14-3-3 isoform ${\beta}$ and ${\gamma}$ proteins significantly increased in the CSF 2-3 weeks after the infection, but not increasedin the dexamethasone-treated group. Expression of 14-3-3 ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, ${\varepsilon}$, and ${\theta}$ isoforms increased in brain meninges over the 3-week period after infection and decreased due to dexamethasone treatment. In conclusion, administration of dexamethasone in mice with eosinophilic meningitis decreased expressions of 14-3-3 isoform proteins in the CSF and in brain meninges.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2020

The incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) was reported to be higher in combat-injured patients than in civilian trauma patients. HO is often considered a possible cause of residual limbs pain in amputee. Here, we report the case of a 21-year-old male, who underwent a traumatic right transfemoral and left transtibial amputation with two segments of painful HO around his left amputation site. We report the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on size and pain associated with HO. After ESWT, the visual analog scale score decreased from 5~6 to 0~1 and the size of two masses decreased from 13.1 × 6.7 mm and 12.5 mm to 11.9 × 4.7 mm and 12.2 mm, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case that has reported on the treatment of HO using ESWT for a traumatic transtibial amputation patient. The case suggests that ESWT could serve as a complementary treatment for HO in traumatic amputation patient.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic balance exercise after intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Method: 30 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: dynamic balance exercise after HA injection group (group A) and only HA injection group (group B). Both groups administered intra-articular HA injection and group A patients continued 20-session exercises for 4 weeks. The assessments were measured before injection and 4 weeks after treatment using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for physical function, Berg balance scale (BBS), and computerized dynamic posturography using SMART Balance Master system for balance function. Results: In both groups, significant improvements in VAS, WOMAC and balance function were observed. Compared between groups, group A showed significant improvements compared to group B in WOMAC and balance function. Conclusion: It is suggested that dynamic balance exercise may result in improved balance function and physical function in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.228-236
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• 2001

Objectives : To propose a feasible, valid and appropriate study designs and epidemiologic methods for evaluating the adverse health effects of Agent Orange-chemical defoliants used in Vietnam- in Korea. Methods : A literature study was peformed on Agent Orange, herbicides, pesticides and dioxins. The study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment were examined in each study. The potential data sources for the study subjects, study design, exposure assessment and health outcomes assessment in Korea were investigated. Results and Conclusion : In earlier Korean studies, research subjects for studying the effects of Agent Orange were identified from the patients or persons who claimed to have Agent Orange-related diseases due to the difficulties in identifying the entire population of Vietnam veterans in Korea. In this study, an attempt was made to identify the total number of Vietnam veterans in Korea. As a result, the addresses of 20,000 Vietnam veterans were obtained. It is proposed that a retrospective cohort design on a sample of the total number of Vietnam veterans is a feasible and appropriate study design. Self report questionnaires and military records were proposed to assess the exposure level. It is believed that measuring the plasma or tissue TCDD should be used only for a validation study assessing the level of exposure. For the health outcomes assessment, it is possible to obtain the mortality, cancer frequency, physical examination, screening and medical insurance record data.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 1993

A technical refinement for oral commissure reconstruction is presented. The oral commissure has an important role in oral sphincteric function. Once lost, the oral commissure is very difficult to restore and therefore, reconstruction of the oral commissure requires prevention of this function as well as prevention of microstomia. Trauma and tumor excisions are the most frequent reasons that will necessitate reconstruction of the oral commissure. Direct approximation of the wound margins after resection of the corner of the mouth could easily induce microstomia and difficulty in opening. Thus case presented here deals with distortion of noraml mouth angle and acquired microstomia due to burn and tissue deface following shotgun and explosive wounds. The a mucosal flap approach was used to rehabilitate a natural looking mouth angle showing satisfactory results function and esthetic wise.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2001

SCA 1 is an autosomal dominant disorder. The phenotypic manifestations of SCA 1 are not specific, and thus, the diagnosis of SCA 1 rests on molecular genetic testing. The number of CAG repeats ranges from 6-44 in normal alleles and from 39-81 repeats in disease-causing alleles(chromosomal locus 6p22-23). The main clinical features of SCA 1 are ataxia, dysarthria, ophthalmoparesis, extrapyramidal signs without retinal degeneration. A 24-year-old woman with suspected family history presented with progressive cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria, ptosis, titubation and general weakness. Brain MRI revealed a moderate cerebellar atrophy. A genomic polymerase chain reaction(PCR) analysis showed 66 repeats at the SCA 1 locus.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.198-202
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• 2020

Simple clavicle fractures can achieve satisfactory results through conservative treatment, and the less frequency of nonunion. Non-union or malunion can occur in displaced clavicle fractures or comminuted shaft fractures. Treatment of displaced comminuted clavicle shaft fractures is performed by holding together the free fragments with interfragmentary screws or wires and fixing them to the clavicle with a plate. Therefore, we performed interfragmentary fixation using open reduction and internal fixation with bioresorbable screws (Mg-Ca alloy, Resomet bioresorbable bone screw; U&I Corp.) and bioresorbable wires (Mg-Ca alloy, Resomet bioresorbable K-wire and pin, U&I Corp.) for displaced comminuted clavicle fractures (Robinson type 2B) and additionally used a metal plate. We expected decreased irritation and infection due to absorption after surgery. We report four cases that were treated in this way.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2020

We report a case of a healthy 38-year-old man presenting with insufficiency fracture of proximal tibia associated with unrecognized osteoporosis. Radiologic bone DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) assessment revealed osteoporosis, but the patient displayed no apparent risk factors for insufficiency fractures and osteoporosis except for a history of smoking. Following right proximal tibial open reduction and internal fixation, the patient commenced smoking cessation and began taking alendronate. The patient was treated for gait rehabilitation, which included quadriceps strengthening exercises and his condition improved with independent walking. This report highlights an unusual site of proximal tibial insufficiency fractures and the potential effect of smoking on low bone mineral density in a young male patient.