• Medical Lasers
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.187-189
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• 2020

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a material that generates free radicals through the ionization of air. Despite the application in various medical fields, the efficacy and safety of CAP on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to atopic dermatitis have not been reported. Herein, we report the improvement in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of atopic dermatitis, after CAP treatment of three sessions weekly, 10 minutes per session. We examined the clinical severity indexes before and after treatment, including the Investigator's Global Assessment, modified Atopic Dermatitis Antecubital Severity, Eczema Area and Severity Index, and pruritus visual analogue scores. Our results indicate that CAP alleviates the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and clinical severity of atopic dermatitis, and effectively improves the atopic skin lesion without severe safety issues. We believe that the previously reported anti-bacterial effects and production of interleukin-6 after CAP treatment are probably responsible for the underlying mechanisms leading to clinical improvement.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2020

Recently, various lasers and energy-based devices (EBDs) have been widely used in aesthetic procedures. Although using lasers and energy-based aesthetic procedures presents a potential risk to doctors, nurses, and patients, aesthetic procedures tend to be performed without the necessary precautions. For injury prevention, it is essential to follow safety rules and be aware of potential accidents. Furthermore, it is important to understand the basic principles of the devices, including the different optical and electrical properties. Acquiring the exact knowledge to control a device is important for two reasons; to maintain a safer operating environment and prolong the lifespan of expensive devices. This review briefly summarizes the knowledge needed for better and safer aesthetic procedures and the proper control of aesthetic devices.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.102-116
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• 2023

Objectives: To provide a case report of effective use of Korean herbal medicine treatment to reduce the development and progression of normal-tension glaucoma(NTG). Methods: This case involved a 52-year-old patient who had a history of excimer laser surgery at the age of 25 and was using prescriptions such as Cosopts2 and Xalatan for eye drops. We treated this patient with Korean herbal medicine treatment for 2 years and assessed the progression of NTG based on the optical coherence tomography test results that he recevied at the ophthalmology clinic every 6 months. Results: During the two years of treatment with Korean herbal medicine, it was observed that the progression of NTG was halted. However, after discontinuing the Korean herbal treatment, the progression resumed. Conclusion: Korean herbal medicine treatment was found to be effective in treating normal tension glaucoma, and a minimum treatment period of two years is necessary for an accurate evaluation of NTG.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.360-366
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• 2008

Purpose: Botulinum toxin type A(BoTA) can block the release of vasoconstriction cotransmitters as well as acetylcholine in nerve terminal. The authors observed that BoTA increases flap survival by preventing sympathetic collapse of peripheral vessels. Methods: 10 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control(n=5), and BoTA group(n=5). $3{\times}10cm$ sized random pattern cutaneous flaps were elevated on the dorsal side in both groups. In BoTA group, BoTA was injected into the flap via intradermal to subdermal route, 7 days before the flap elevation. Flap survival rates (survival area/total area) were measured 7 days after the elevation. Cutaneous blood flow was measured in proximal, middle and distal compartments of the flap using laser Doppler flowmetry initially, preoperatively, at immediate postoperation, and 7 days after flap elevation, respectively. Histological examination was performed 7 days after the flap elevation. The number and shape of the vessels were evaluated under microscope. Results: Mean flap survival was $53.18{\pm}6.58%$ in control group and $93.79{\pm}6.06%$ in BoTA group, displaying statistically significant difference(p=0.0008, p<0.05). In the control group, blood flow to the middle and distal compartments of the flap decreased significantly immediately after flap elevation. In the BoTA group, blood flow to the middle compartment did not decrease(p=0.002) and slightly decreased in the distal compartment(p=0.001). Cutaneous blood flow was significantly higher in all compartments of the flap in BoTA group than in control group, 7 days after the flap elevation. In histopathologic examination, greater number of vessels were noted in the BoTA group than in the control group. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin A can increase the survival of the random pattern cutaneous flap in rats by preventing the sympathetic collapse of peripheral vessels.

• The Korean Journal of Vision Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.543-551
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• 2018

Purpose : The purposes of this study were to evaluate the changes of intraocular pressure according to corneal ablation amount after corneal refractive surgery and the changes of intraocular pressure according to refractive errors before corneal refractive surgery. Methods : The mean age of adults who underwent LASIK corneal refractive surgery were $37.34{\pm}7.42years$, and 108 adults(48 males, 60 females) were participated in this study. Refractive errors, intraocular pressure, and corneal ablation amount were measured using an autorefractor, a noncontact tonometer, and an excimer laser. All test values were considered statistically significant when p<0.05. Results : The mean intraocular pressure before corneal refractive surgery was $15.08{\pm}2.60mmHg$ in males and $14.16{\pm}2.67mmHg$ in females. The decrease of intraocular pressure after corneal refractive surgery were 4.22mmHg in males and 3.61mmHg in females. Spherical equivalent power were $-3.89{\pm}2.17D$ in males and $-4.45{\pm}2.92D$ in females before corneal refractive surgery, and $-0.10{\pm}0.46D$ in males and $-0.04{\pm}0.46D$ in females after corneal refractive surgery. The corneal ablation amount after corneal refractive surgery were statistically significant, with $53.95{\mu}m$ in males and $61.26{\mu}m$ in females. There was significant correlation between corneal ablation amount and decrease of intaocluar pressure(r=0.2299, p<0.001). As the growth of corneal ablation amount in males, the decrease of intraocular pressure was significantly increased. As the growth of refractive error, the amount of decrease in intraocular pressure was also significant. The decrease of intraocualr pressure were $3.04{\pm}2.18mmHg$ in low refractive error, $4.10{\pm}2.16mmHg$ in middle refractive error, and $4.65{\pm}3.29mmHg$ in high refractive error. Conclusion : We found that intraocular pressure decreased after corneal refractive surgery by noncontact tonometer and the change of intraocular pressure which is an important index for glaucoma diagnosis, may affect the judgment of eye disease. We think that a preliminary questionnaire whether corneal refractive surgery is necessary for the measurement of intraocular pressure.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.4
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• 2012

The traumatic removal of the mandibular third molar may promote post chirurgic consequences such as orofacial pain and limited mandibular movements. The aim of this case report is to describe the use of an anterior bite plane and complementary therapies (low level laser therapy and acupuncture) to treat the muscular dysfunction and the painful symptoms. A 33 year-old male patient who had a severe malocclusion and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction was submitted to an initial clinical examination: electromyography of the masticatory muscles and IRM of the temporomandibular joint. After treatments, the results showed reduced pain symptoms and an increase of the mandibular movements and adequated electromiographic activities. The authors concluded that the combination therapies may be used as an alternative treatment because it satisfied the functional requirements of the patient and provided an asymptomatic clinical condition.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.126-132
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• 2020

Objectives : The study is to report cases of open/closed types of epidermal cyst removed by surgical method with Bufonis Venenum pharmacopuncture. Methods : 2 patients were diagnosed each open/closed epidermal cyst. Local anesthesia was achieved with Bufonis Venenum pharmacopuncture. Incision was made using 15^th blade and the CO₂ Hani-maehwa laser. After cyst was removed, simple interrupted suture was performed. Eunkyo-san and Yeonkyopaedok-san were administered respectively for 7 days for anti-inflammatory effects. Results : Local anesthesia was maintained until epidermal cysts were clearly removed. The suture was removed after confirmation of skin adhesion. Adverse reactions were not reported. Conclusions : Epidermal cysts were removed surgically after Bufonis Venenum pharmacopuncture anesthesia and the risk of infection can be prevented by administering herbal medicines that have anti-inflammatory properties. It is difficult to visually diagnose closed type of epidermal cyst and then suggests that imaging equipment such as ultrasound is required.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.50-58
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• 2019

Background and Objectives Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is an application of low-power light for various purposes such as promoting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, causing analgesia, etc. A previous study suggested the effect of light emitting diode (LED) light with the wavelength of 740 nm for promoting wound healing of corneal epithelial cells. This current study aimed to confirm the effect of LLLT for managing inflammation of a dry eye disease (DED) mouse model. Materials and Methods A total of 50C57BL/6 female mice were randomly grouped into 5 groups to compare the effect of LLLT:1) Control group, 2) Only LLLT group, 3) Dry eye group, 4) LLLT in dry eye group, and 5) Early treatment group. DED was induced with 4 daily injections of scopolamine hydrobromide and desiccation stress for 17 days, and LLLT at 740 nm was conducted once every 3 days. To analyze the effect of LLLT on the DED mouse model, tear volume, corneal surface irregularities, and fluorescence in stained cores were measured, and the level of inflammation was assessed with immunohistochemistry. Results The DED mouse model showed significant deterioration in the overall eye condition. After LLLT, the amount of tear volume was increased, and corneal surface irregularities were restored. Also, the number of neutrophils and the level of inflammatory cytokines significantly decreased as well. Conclusion This study showed that LLLT at 740 nm was effective in controlling the corneal conditions and the degree of inflammation in DED. Such findings may suggest therapeutic effects of LLLT at 740 nm on DED.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.633-649
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Mechanical properties (MPs) and axial and radial force (AF and RF) may influence the efficacy and complications of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement. We measured the MPs of various SEMSs and examined their influence on the SEMS clinical ability. Methods: We evaluated the MPs of 29 types of 10-mm SEMSs. RF was measured using a conventional measurement device. AF was measured using the conventional and new methods, and the correlation between the methods was evaluated. Results: A high correlation in AFs was observed, as measured by the new and conventional manual methods. AF and RF scatterplots divided the SEMSs into three subgroups according to structure: hook-and-cross-type (low AF and RF), cross-type (high AF and low RF), and laser-cut-type (intermediate AF and high RF). The hook-and-cross-type had the largest axial force zero border (>20°), followed by the laser-cut and cross types. Conclusions: MPs were related to stent structure. Hook-and-cross-type SEMSs had a low AF and high axial force zero border and were considered safest because they caused minimal stress on the biliary wall. However, the increase in RF must be overcome.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.33
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• pp.109-116
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of Surface-Guided Patient Setup by comparing the patient positioning accuracy when image-guided radiation therapy was used for Markerless patients(unmarked on the skin) using Surface-Guided Patient Setup and Marker patients(marked on the skin) using Laser-Based Patient Setup. Materials And Methods: The position error during IGRT was compared between a Markerless patient initially set up with SGPS using an optical surface scanning system using three cameras and a Marker patient initially set up with LBPS that aligns the laser with the marker drawn on the patient's skin. Both SGPS and LBPS were performed on 20 prostate cancer patients and 10 Stereotactic Radiation Surgery patients, respectively, and SGPS was performed on an additional 60 breast cancer patients. All were performed IGRT using CBCT or OBI. Position error of 6 degrees of freedom was obtained using Auto-Matching System, and comparison and analysis were performed using Offline-Review in the treatment planning system. Result: The difference between the root mean square (RMS) of SGPS and LBPS in prostate cancer patients was Vrt -0.02cm, Log -0.02cm, Lat 0.01cm, Pit -0.01°, Rol -0.01°, Rtn -0.01°, SRS patients was Vrt 0.02cm, Log -0.05cm, Lat 0.00cm, Pit -0.30°, Rol -0.15°, Rtn -0.33°. there was no significant difference between the two regions. According to the IGRT standard of breast cancer patients, RMS was Vrt 0.26, Log 0.21, Lat 0.15, Pit 0.81, Rol 0.49, Rtn 0.59. Conclusion:. As a result of this study, the position error value of SGPS compared to LBPS did not show a significant difference between prostate cancer patients and SRS patients. In the case of additionally performed SGPS breast cancer patients, the position error value was not large based on IGRT. Therefore, it is considered that it will be useful to replace LBPS with SGPS, which has the great advantage of not requiring patient skin marking..