• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1205-1211
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• 2011

In this paper, we developed a pacemaker that can increase the efficacy of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and increase the survival rate for patients suffering end-stage heart failure. Because LVAD patients can experience arrhythmia, the pacemaker incorporated into the LVAD has the important role of sustaining sufficient blood circulation during arrhythmia. The electrode of the pacemaker is located at the apex of the left ventricle, where the VAD's inlet cannula is connected. This is efficient placement, in that the electrode can transmit electrical stimulation directly to the Purkinje fibers of the myocardium. The pacemaker can change the stimulation rate from 0 bpm to 191.4 bpm when a button is pressed on the external control module, and the pacemaker normally stimulates the heart at 60 bpm with 0.25 J of energy. We performed animal experiments to evaluate the performance and reliability of the combination of the LVAD and pacemaker. At pacemaker stimulation rates of 86.4 bpm, 100.2 bpm, 126.6 bpm, we recorded the ECGs, aortic pressures, and flow rates to analyze the heart loads.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.459-471
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• 2024

In modern society, where tension and stress are ubiquitous, individuals often experience psychological imbalances. These stressors not only affect mental well-being but also manifest physically, through the skin. Consequently, a new term psychodermatology combining psychiatry and dermatology, has emerged, garnerning attention and research focus. In this study, we aimed to develop materials improving chronic skin conditions caused by stress by utilizing a compound of Cucurbita moschata, Paeonia japonica, and Prunus cerasus known to alleviate skin disorders. We sought to develop and validate the efficacy of materials alleviating chronic skin conditions induced by stress in keratinocytes..Therefore, in this study we analyzed the effects of a complex extract using Cucurbita moschata, Paeonia japonica, and Prunus cerasus on HaCaT keratinocyte cells to understand how it influences them. The complex extract on HaCaT keratinocyte cells showed a concentration-dependent decrease in the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDC, and TARC at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 ㎍/mL. Particularly noteworthy was the efficacy observed in inhibiting IL-1β, with a reduction of over 40% at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL. Additionally, the production levels of AQP-3, HA, and filaggrin exhibited a significant concentration-dependent increase. The protein expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38, which were elevated by TNF-α/IFN-γ, was significantly decreased with the treatment of the complex extract. These findings suggest that the compound extract may be utilized as a material for treating and preventing skin conditions, potentially mitigating the adverse effects of the mutual relationship between skin disorders and stress.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.379-391
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• 2018

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) have poor prognosis. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) in combination with systemic chemotherapy is a novel treatment option for patients in stage IV of the disease. Materials and Methods: Between November 2015 and June 2018, prospective data collection was performed in 24 patients with GC and PM (median age, 57; range, 44-75 years). These patients underwent 46 PIPAC procedures with a median number of 2 interventions per patient (range, 1-6). A laparoscopic access was used and a combined therapy of cisplatin and doxorubicin aerosol was administered. Results: The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index before the 1st PIPAC was 14 (range, 2-36), and the median ascites volume in patients before the 1st PIPAC was 100 mL (range, 0-6 mL, 300 mL). Eleven patients, who received 2 or more PIPAC procedures, had decreased and stable volumes of ascites, while only 3 patients displayed increasing volume of ascites. The median overall survival was 121 days (range, 66-625 days) after the 1st PIPAC procedure, while 8 patients who received more than 3 PIPAC procedures had a median survival of 450 days (range, 206-481 days) (P=0.0376). Conclusions: Our data show that PIPAC is safe and well tolerated, and that the production of ascites can be controlled by PIPAC in GC patients. Patients, who received 2 or more PIPAC procedures, reported a stable overall quality of life. Further studies are required to document the significance of PIPAC as a palliative multimodal therapy.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2016

Purpose: Parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated cholestasis (PNAC) is one of the most common complications in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors of PNAC in VBLWIs. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 322 VLBWIs admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital from July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013. We excluded 72 dead infants; 6 infants were transferred to another hospital, and 57 infants were transferred to our hospital at 2 weeks after birth. The infants were divided into the cholestasis and the non-cholestasis groups. PNAC was defined as a direct bilirubin level of ${\geq}2.0mg/dL$ in infants administered with PN for ${\geq}2weeks$. Results: A total of 187 VLBWI were enrolled in this study; of these, 46 infants developed PNAC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of PNAC in VLBWI were longer duration of antimicrobial use (odds ratio [OR] 4.49, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.42-4.58), longer duration of PN (OR 2.68, 95% CI 2.41-3.00), long-term lack of enteral nutrition (OR 2.89, 95% CI 2.43-3.37), occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis (OR 2.40, 95% CI 2.16-2.83), and gastrointestinal operation (OR 2.19, 95% CI 2.03-2.58). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that shorter PN, aggressive enteral nutrition, and appropriate antimicrobial use are important strategies in preventing PNAC.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.308-313
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• 2020

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the major gynecologic surgeries. Historically, several surgical procedures have been used for hysterectomy. The present study aims to evaluate the surgical trends and clinical outcomes of hysterectomy performed for benign diseases at the Yeungnam University Hospital. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent a hysterectomy for benign diseases from 2013 to 2018. Data included the patients' demographic characteristics, surgical indications, hysterectomy procedures, postoperative pathologies, and perioperative outcomes. Results: A total of 809 patients were included. The three major indications for hysterectomy were uterine leiomyoma, pelvic organ prolapse, and adenomyosis. The most common procedure was total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH, 45.2%), followed by open hysterectomy (32.6%). During the study period, the rate of open hysterectomy was nearly constant (29.4%-38.1%). The mean operative time was the shortest in the single-port laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH, 89.5 minutes), followed by vaginal hysterectomy (VH, 96.8 minutes) and TLH (105 minutes). The mean decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level was minimum in single-port LAVH (1.8 g/dL) and VH (1.8 g/dL). Conversion to open surgery or multi-port surgery occurred in five cases (0.6%). Surgical complications including wound dehiscence, organ injuries, and conditions requiring reoperation were observed in 52 cases (6.4%). Conclusion: Minimally invasive approach was used for most hysterectomies for benign diseases, but the rate of open hysterectomy has mostly remained constant. Single-port LAVH and VH showed the most tolerable outcomes in terms of operative time and postoperative drop in hemoglobin level in selected cases.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.9-18
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• 2007

Objectives: Bloodletting therapeutics is one of the most popular oriental medical treatments in Korea. In this study, we operate the Interview Survey for grasping clinical actual state bloodletting therapeutics in Korea. Methods : Survey questions were developed based on consensus of acupuncture professors. The list of the Korean medical doctors with experiences more than 10 years is provided by the Association of the Korean Oriental Medicine. The interviews were conducted to 39 members of the Korean medical doctors who answered to used bloodletting therapeutics over 30 percentage a day at previous telephone survey. Interview survey with them were conducted by the well-trained interviewers of College of Korean Medicine student from 29th May 2006 to 3rd June 2006. Results : Korean medical doctors prefer to use the bloodletting cupping treatment(89.5%) on the bloodletting therapeutics. Musculo-skeletal disorder was as frequent as 89.5% of treatment disease. The most common treatment area was back(57.9%), extremity(l5.8%), pain area(l0.5%). The most common instrument for treating was disposable lancet(57.9%), three-edged needle(26.3%). Most Korean medical doctors(60.5%) took up the position that bring symptom relief following good treatment area. 'Recover quickly from illness'(50%) was one of bloodletting good points but 'Sever pain'(34.2%) was a weak points. Conclusion : This survey provides unique insight into the perception of the Korean medical doctors at bloodletting therapeutics. Most doctors experienced symptom relief, received positive benefits from the treatment. Future research needs to provide more in-depth insight into doctor views of the experience.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.216-220
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• 1996

In the present paper, a new type of DC arc plasma torch is disclosed. The principles of the new magnetic and fluid dynamic controlled large orifice long discharge tunnel plasma torch is discussed. Two series of DC Plasma Jet diamond film deposition equipment have been developed. The 20kW Jet equipped with a $\Phi$70 mm orifice torch is capable of deposition diamond films at a growth rate as high as 40$\mu\textrm{m}$/h over a substrate area of $\Phi$65 mm. The 100kW high power Jet which is newly developed based on the experience of the low power model is equipped with a $\Phi$120 mm orifice torch, and is capable of depositing diamond films over a substrate area of $\Phi$110 mm at growth rate as high as 40 $\mu\textrm{m}$/h, and can be operated at gas recycling mode, which allows 95% of the gases be recycled. It is demonstrated that the new type DC plasma torch can be easily scaled up to even higher power Jet. It is estimated that even by the 100kW Jet, the cost for tool grade diamond films can be as low as less than ＄4/carat.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.8
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• pp.261-265
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• 2017

Purpose: Studies on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in immunocompetent children are lacking, and minimal information is available in the medical literature on hepatic manifestations and complications of CMV. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis of children with CMV hepatitis, and to investigate its prevalence at a single medical center in Korea over a 10-year period. Methods: One hundred thirty-two children diagnosed with CMV infection based on specific markers (anti-CMV IgM, CMV polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine, or CMV culture of urine) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical characteristics, immunological markers, and outcomes of hepatic CMV infection were determined. Results: The median age of patients (n=132) was 8.5 months (range, 14 days-11.3 years). Peak total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels in serum ranged from 0.11-21.97 mg/dL, and 5-1,517 IU/L, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase remained elevated from 2-48 weeks. Jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection during infancy. The hematologic findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis, and monocytosis in CMV-infected patients. All participants recovered without administration of ganciclovir. Conclusion: In children with CMV hepatitis, fever was the most common symptom at presentation, and jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection in infants younger than 3 months of age. Hepatic CMV infection in immunocompetent children is often a self-limited illness that does not require antiviral therapy, as most patients in this study had favorable outcomes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1857-1859
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• 2016

Background: Hodgkin's lymphoma (formerly, Hodgkins disease) is a potentially curable malignancy with distinctive biological behavior and specific clinical characteristics. Limited information is available from developing countries for patients with classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL). Therefore we reviewed the demographical and clinico-hematological profiles along with bone marrow infiltration patterns in adult patients presenting at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 62 adult (${\geq}15years$) patients with cHL were enrolled from January 2010 to December 2014. Results: The mean age was $29.7{\pm}13.8years$ with a median of 30 years. The male to female ratio was 2:1. B symptoms were present in 72.5% of patients and lymph node enlargement in 85.4%. The frequency of bone marrow infiltration in our cHL patients was found to be 27.4%, the pattern being predominantly focal followed by diffuse. The mean hemoglobin was $9.4{\pm}1.9g/dl$ with a mean MCV of $78.1{\pm}7.9fl$, a mean total leukocyte count of $10.9{\pm}20.6{\times}10^9/l$ and a mean platelet count of $241.6{\pm}150.1{\times}10^9/l$. Conclusions: Our analysis shows that clinico-pathological features of cHL in Pakistan are comparable to published data. Peripheral lymphodenopathy associated with B symptoms is the commonest presentation. Bone marrow involvement is more common in our setup as patients usually presented at an advanced stage of disease.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.89-99
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was conducted to evaluated the effects of oral health related quality of life and impacts of oral health related quality of life of early adult group through a questionnaire OHRQoL(Oral health related quality of life). The study subjects were 224 women college students. The results of this study were as follow; 1. Physical aspects score was $41.98{\pm}7.78$, social aspects score was $33.04{\pm}7.25$, psychological aspects score was $32.50{\pm}7.50$ in effects of oral health related quality of life. 2. Physical aspects score was $25.49{\pm}4.86$, social aspects score was $20.65{\pm}4.47$, psychological aspects score was $19.84{\pm}5.53$ in impacts of oral health related quality of life. 3. The better oral health was the higher effects of oral health related quality of life(pE0.05). No missing tooth(pE0.01), use of oral health device(pE0.05), no experience oral health education(pE0.05) group was higher impacts score of oral health related quality of life. 4. The significantly correlated among all items on effects of oral health related quality of life. Therefore it suggested that college students oral health program, need precision oral exam and oral health education.