• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2013

Objectives : Accumulation point is a useful acupoint for acute pain diseases. Among the eight extra meridians, only four (Yin Heel, Yang Heel, Yin Link, Yang Link vessel) have accumulation point and the others (Governor, Conception, Thoroughfare, Belt Vessel) do not. However, there is no explanation why these four meridians do not have it. So, the authors researched the literature to look for the reasons. Methods : We investigated 10 books and 1 paper about the 'accumulation point of extra meridians' using several search engines and researched reason why the other 4 meridian do not have it. Results : All of the 16 accumulation points are located on the 4 limbs. The four limbs have more Yang energy than the trunk. The governor, conception, thoroughfare, and belt vessels do not flow in the limbs. It seems that there is no acupoint located on deep gap enough to be the accumulation point among the four vessels. When it comes to the functions of these vessels, they are little related with the acute pain that is the main target of the accumulation point. Conclusions : From the results of this study, it seems to be reasonable that the four vessels do not have accumulation point.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.831-841
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• 2001

Objective : Somatosensory evoked potentials(SSEPs) have been used widely both experimentally and clinically to monitor the function of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Studies of SSEPs have reported the various recording techniques and patterns of SSEP. The previous SSEP studies used scalp recording electrodes, showed mean vector potentials which included relatively constant brainstem potentials(far-field potentials) and unstable thalamocortical pathway potentials(near-field potentials). Even in invasive SSEP recording methods, thalamocortical potentials were variable according to the kinds, depths, and distance of two electrodes. So they were regarded improper method for monitoring of upper level of brainstem. The present study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of somatosensory evoked field potentials(SSEFPs) of the cerebral cortex that evoked by hindlimb stimulation using ball electrode and the pathways of SSEFP by recording the potentials simultaneously in the cortex, VPL nucleus of thalamus, and nucleus gracilis. Methods : In the first experiment, a specially designed recording electrode was inserted into the cerebral cortex perpendicular to the cortical surface in order to recording the constant cortical field potentials and SSEFPs mapped from different areas of somatosensory cortex were analyzed. In the second experiment, SSEPs were recorded in the ipsilateral nucleus gracilis, the contralateral ventroposterolateral thalamic nucleus(VPL), and the cerebral cortex along the conduction pathway of somatosensory information. Results : In the first experiment, we could constantly obtain the SSEFPs in cerebral cortex following the transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the hind limb, and it revealed that the first large positive and following negative waves were largest at the 2mm posterior and 2mm lateral to the bregma in the contralateral somatosensory cortex. The second experiment showed that the SSEPs were conducted by way of posterior column somatosensory pathway and thalamocortical pathway and that specific patterns of the SSEPs were recorded from the nucleus gracilis, VPL, and cerebral cortex. Conclusion : The specially designed recording electrode was found to be very useful in recording the localized SSEFPs and the transcutaneous electrical stimulation using ball electrode was effective in evoking SSEPs. The characteristic shapes, latencies, and conduction velocities of each potentials are expected to be used the fundamental data for the future study of brain functions, including the hydrocephalus model, middle cerebral artery ischemia model, and so forth.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.597-603
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• 2017

Objective : Several surgical methods have been reported for treatment of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine. Despite rapid innovation of instruments and techniques for spinal surgery, the postoperative outcomes are not always favorable. This article reports a minimally invasive anterior decompression technique without instrumented fusion, which was modified from the conventional procedure. The authors present 2 cases of huge beak-type OPLL. Patients underwent minimally invasive anterior decompression without fusion. This method created a space on the ventral side of the OPLL without violating global thoracic spinal stability. Via this space, the OPLL and anterior lateral side of the dural sac can be seen and manipulated directly. Then, total removal of the OPLL was accomplished. No orthosis was needed. In this article, we share our key technique and concepts for treatment of huge thoracic OPLL. Methods : Case 1. 51-year-old female was referred to our hospital with right lower limb radiating pain and paresis. Thoracic OPLL at T6-7 had been identified at our hospital, and conservative treatment had been tried without success. Case 2. This 54-year-old female with a 6-month history of progressive gait disturbance and bilateral lower extremity radiating pain (right>left) was admitted to our institute. She also had hypoesthesia in both lower legs. Her symptoms had been gradually progressing. Computed tomography scans showed massive OPLL at the T9-10 level. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar spine demonstrated ventral bony masses with severe anterior compression of the spinal cord at the same level. Results : We used this surgical method in 2 patients with a huge beaked-type OPLL in the thoracic level. Complete removal of the OPLL via anterior decompression without instrumented fusion was accomplished. The 1st case had no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and the 2nd case had 1 intraoperative complication (dural tear) and no postoperative complications. There were no residual symptoms of the lower extremities. Conclusion : This surgical technique allows the surgeon to safely and effectively perform minimally invasive anterior decompression without instrumented fusion via a transthoracic approach for thoracic OPLL. It can be applied at the mid and lower level of the thoracic spine and could become a standard procedure for treatment of huge beak-type thoracic OPLL.

• Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2016

Objective Combination of ${\beta}_1-adrenergic$ receptor (AR) blockade and ${\beta}_2-AR$ activation might be a potential novel therapy for treating heart failure. However, use of ${\beta}-AR$ agonists and/or antagonists in the clinical setting is controversial because of the lack of information on cardiac inotropic or chronotropic regulation by AR signaling. Methods In this study, we performed hemodynamic evaluation by examining force frequency response (FFR), Frank-Starling relationship, and response to a non-selective ${\beta}-AR$ agonist (isoproterenol) in hearts isolated from 6-month-old transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing ${\beta}_1-$ and ${\beta}_2-ARs$ (${\beta}_1-$ and ${\beta}_2-AR$ TG mice, respectively). Results Cardiac physiologic consequences of ${\beta}_1-$ and ${\beta}_2-AR$ overexpression resulted in similar maximal response to isoproterenol and faster temporary decline of positive inotropic response in ${\beta}_2-AR$ TG mice. ${\beta}_1-AR$ TG mice showed a pronounced negative limb of FFR, whereas ${\beta}_2-AR$ TG mice showed high stimulation frequencies with low contractile depression during FFR. In contrast, Frank-Starling relationship was equally enhanced in both ${\beta}_1-$ and ${\beta}_2-AR$ TG mice. Conclusion Hemodynamic evaluation performed in the present showed a difference in ${\beta}_1-$ and ${\beta}_2-AR$ signaling, which may be due to the difference in the desensitization of ${\beta}_1-$ and ${\beta}_2-ARs$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.381-393
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• 2019

Carbonate breccias occur sporadically in the Middle Cambrian Daegi Formation on the southern limb of the Baegunsan Syncline, Taebaeksan Basin. These carbonate breccias have been largely interpreted either as sedimentary breccias or as tectonic, fault-related breccias. Recent study, however, indicates that the majority of these breccias are a solution-collapse breccia which is causally linked to the paleokarstification. Extensive karstification is attributed to prolonged subaerial exposure of the carbonate platform. The exposed surface is a record of interruption in sedimentation on the carbonate platform. In the stratigraphic record, such karst-related post-depositional features are recognized as meteoric diagenetic features, paleosols, and solution-collapse breccias. Solution-collapse breccias are particularly well preserved and most profound in the carbonate rocks below the major unconformities, which also are evidence of prolonged subaerial exposure. The Middle Cambrian Daegi Formation provides an example of solution-collapse breccias. The formation and preservation of the solution-collapse breccias imply that a stratigraphic discontinuity surface (unconformity) can be designated within the Daegi Formation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.990-998
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• 2019

Introduction: Stroke refers to a sudden brain disease that results in disorders in the anatomy of the brain. The cause is a sudden circulatory disorder of the cerebrovascular system that creates a consciousness disorder and hemiplegia. Despite aggressive treatment after the onset, stroke is a social problem because the patient has difficulty in recovering from sequelae that can include limb movement disorders, language disorders, and emotional disorders. In this study, we describe the effect of traditional Korean medicine treatment on the sequelae in a subacute cerebral infarction patient admitted to a Korean medical hospital. Case presentation: A 67-year-old male patient was diagnosed with cerebral infarction circa 2005, and his condition had not improved. Around March 15, 2018, he experienced the sudden onset of a cerebral infarction in his daily life. This was confirmed by a brain MRI, and he was hospitalized at other hospitals, but he showed no improvement. We conducted a manual muscle test (MMT) to evaluate the patient's exercise and strength. His gait level was measured to evaluate his degree of walking. He was treated with Bojungikgi-tang and acupuncture twice a day. After 34 days of inpatient treatment, the patient's exercise strength improved from Grade 2+~Grade 3 to Grade 3+ determined by the MMT, and his walking ability improved from Gait Level 3 to Gait Level 4. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment can help treat patients with hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction.

• Vascular Specialist International
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.94-102
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• 2018

Purpose: Aim of this study is to report real-life experience on the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) with a specific drug-coated balloon (DCB), and to evaluate potential prognostic factors for outcomes. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study reporting outcomes in patients with PAD who were treated with the Lutonix DCB during a four-year period. Major outcomes included: all-cause mortality, amputation, clinical improvement, wound healing and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Mean follow-up was $24.2{\pm}2.3$ months. Results: Overall, 149 patients (mean age: $68.6{\pm}8.3$ years; 113 males) were treated, either for intermittent claudication (IC) (n=86) or critical limb ischemia (CLI) (n=63). More than half the target lesions (n=206 in total) were located in the superficial femoral artery and 18.0% were below-the-knee lesions. CLI patients presented more frequently with infrapopliteal (P=0.002) or multilevel disease (P=0.0004). Overall, all-cause mortality during follow-up was 10.7%, amputation-free survival was 81.2% and TLR-free survival was 96.6%. CLI patients showed higher all-cause mortality (P=0.007) and total amputation (P=0.0001) rates as well as lower clinical improvement (P=0.0002), compared to IC patients. Coronary artery disease (CAD), gangrene and infrapopliteal disease were found to be predictors for death whereas CLI and gangrene were found to be predictors for amputation, during follow-up. Conclusion: PAD treatment with Lutonix DCBs seems to be an efficient and safe endovascular strategy yielding promising results. However, CAD, gangrene, CLI and infrapopliteal lesions were found to be independent predictors for adverse outcomes. Larger series are needed to identify additional prognostic factors.

• 재활복지
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.169-188
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• 2018

The aims of this study was to investigate the effect of the Tele-rehabilitation service on health promotion and quality of life for individuals with disability. The subjects were 3 men who agreed with participating in service and were assessed of health promotion level with physical/psychological scales and quality of life. The service consists of 20 sessions for 13 weeks. The results are as follows: First, all participants improved psychosocial health promotion (subjective health level) factor. Second, physical health promotion (upper limb function, strength, range of motion) maintained and improved, but there was little change. Third, the quality of life was higher than before. In addition, qualitative research showed that participants experienced a positive change in subjective health status, emotional stability, benefit, and self efficacy, and they were satisfied with the service. Based on the results, it was shown that participation helps improve the health and quality of life of the individuals with disability in the community. This study can be used it as a basic data for establishing a Tele-rehabilitation service for individuals with disability in local community.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.466-477
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• 2018

Orthopaedics is an area where 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology is most likely to be utilized because it has been used to treat a range of diseases of the whole body. For arthritis, spinal diseases, trauma, deformities, and tumors, 3D printing can be used in the form of anatomical models, surgical guides, metal implants, bio-ceramic body reconstruction, and orthosis. In particular, in orthopaedic oncology, patients have a wide variety of tumor locations, but limited options for the limb salvage surgery have resulted in many complications. Currently, 3D printing personalized implants can be fabricated easily in a short time, and it is anticipated that all bone tumors in various surgical sites will be reconstructed properly. An improvement of 3D printing technology in the healthcare field requires close cooperation with many professionals in the design, printing, and validation processes. The government, which has determined that it can promote the development of 3D printing-related industries in other fields by leading the use of 3D printing in the medical field, is also actively supporting with an emphasis on promotion rather than regulation. In this review, the experience of using 3D printing technology for bone tumor surgery was shared, expecting orthopaedic surgeons to lead 3D printing in the medical field.