• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and nicotinic acid (NA) on sperm viability during liquid storage at $18^{\circ}C$ in miniature pigs. $10{\mu}M$ LC and 30 mM NA, combined LC and NA (LN) were treated in fresh semen for 3, 7, and 10 days. In results, sperm survival increased in NA- and LN-treated semen on 7 and 10 days (p<0.05), mitochondrial integrity of live sperm increased in LN-treated semen on 7 days (p<0.05), but not NA-treated semen. In addition, we examined the acrosome reaction of sperm in miniature pigs. LC and NA did not influence on acrosome reaction of boar sperm. In conclusion, LC and NA effectively maintained the viability and quality of sperm during long-term storage in miniature pigs, suggesting that the combined LN may be useful for improving the semen extender for long-term liquid storage in pigs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.60-64
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• 2012

A large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the thymus is a very rare malignant tumor that has a very poor prognosis. The detailed clinical features of LCNEC are still unknown, including the long term prognoses and the definitive modalities of the treatment for LCNEC of the thymus. We are reporting 2 cases of an enlarged LCNEC of the thymus, both of which were diagnosed and treated by surgical resection followed by postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Although recurrences and metastases of the LCNEC were noticed 1 and 4 years postoperatively for each case, aggressive surgical resection and adjuvant chemoradiation therapy may be helpful for a patient's long term survival.

• STI Policy Review
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.55-73
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• 2013

Since the 1990s, the Japanese government has made considerable attempts at stimulating innovation with an aim to pull the country out of a possibly permanent economic decline. Several laws and policy initiatives were introduced to encourage better interaction between universities (and research institutions) and industry. The results of these efforts have been mixed. While the number of university-industry joint and commissioned research has increased, revenues from the licensing of university-owned patents have fluctuated year by year. Although the number of startups and spin-offs from universities rose, their long-term survival and contribution to the economy remain uncertain. The Japanese experience features both strengths and weaknesses. Strengths include the long-term commitment of policy makers, the ability to set specific targets, and the active engagement of several key economic ministries. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these policy initiatives was hampered by limitations within the policies concerning the roles of universities and their mode of interaction with industry based on intellectual property rights, the inadequacy of demand-side innovation policies, the fragmentation of bureaucracy, and a lack of a credible evaluation system.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.286-290
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• 2021

Objectives: The use of fat grafts in maxillofacial sculpturing is currently a common technique. Unlike fillers, autologous fats unite with facial tissues, but long-term results may still be unsatisfactory. Sharing long-term follow-ups can be helpful in making outcomes more predictable. Materials and Methods: The data from patients who were admitted from 2014 to 2016 for fat augmentation were collected. In all cases, fat grafts were injected by blunt cannula using a tunneling technique in different planes. A fan shape order for the malar, periorbital, nasolabial fold, mandibular angle and body, and perioral area was established. Results: Autologous fat was used for different sites of the maxillofacial regions. Of 15 patients, two patients were not satisfied due to fat graft resorption. For this, further injections were performed six months after the first injection using preserved fat grafts. One patient continued to be dissatisfied. There were no other complications related to fat transplants. Conclusion: Fat transplantation is a safe, reliable, and non-invasive method for facial contour and facial soft tissue defect restoration. Additional methods such as mesenchymal stem cells along with fat injection increase the survival rate of transferred fat.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.765-773
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• 2023

Objective: This long-term case report details a case of pancreatic cancer with lung metastasis suppressed by integrative cancer medicine (IMT). Methods: A 64-year-old woman diagnosed with pancreatic cancer visited a Korean medicine hospital complaining about the side effects of chemotherapy for lung metastasis. She received IMT involving Korean traditional medicine and Western immunotherapy from May 2017 to June 2023. Tumor dimensions were assessed through computed tomography (CT) and positron-emission tomography/CT scans, while tumor markers and safety were monitored by laboratory tests. Results: IMT suppressed the progression of cancer, as observed by imaging and laboratory tests. The patient achieved 5-year survival, even after discontinuing chemotherapy. Conclusion: This case presents a potential therapeutic alternative for patients who are ineligible for chemotherapy or surgical interventions.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.229-233
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• 2009

Background: Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a challenging condition that causes lower back or buttock pain; however, there is no universally accepted long-term treatment. There have been several reports of ligament prolotherapy for SI joint pain, but these have had inconsistent results, probably due to the lack of a specific diagnosis for patient selection and variability in the volume, number and sites of injection. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the efficacy of intraarticular prolotherapy for relieving SI joint pain diagnosed by local anesthetic intraarticular injection. Methods: Twenty-two patients with SI joint pain confirmed by 50% or more improvement in response to local anesthetic block underwent intraarticular prolotherapy with 25% dextrose water every other week three times. The numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed at the initial visit and after completion of a series of prolotherapy and the NRS was checked during monthly follow-up sessions to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of this technique. Results: Twenty patients completed prolotherapy and followed up as scheduled. The NRS and ODI were significantly improved from 6 (4-8) and $34.1{\pm}15.5$ to 1 (0-3) and $12.6{\pm}9.8$ (P < 0.01), respectively, at 1 month after prolotherapy. The mean duration of pain relief of 50% or more was 12.2 months (95% CI, 10.0-14.3) as determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusions: Intraarticular prolotherapy provided long-term relief of sacroiliac joint pain and may have more benefits than ligament prolotherapy or neurolysis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.30-34
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• 2012

Background: The long-term results of homografts used in systemic circulation are controversial. We assessed the long-term results of using a cryopreserved homograft for an aortic root or aorta and its branch replacement. Materials and Methods: From June 1995 to January 2010, 23 patients (male:female=15:8, $45.4{\pm}15.6$ years) underwent a homograft replacement in the aortic position. The surgical techniques used were aortic root replacement in 15 patients and aortic graft interposition in 8 patients. Indications for the use of a homograft were systemic vasculitis (n=15) and complicated infection (n=8). The duration of clinical follow-up was $65{\pm}58$ months. Results: Early mortality occurred in 2 patients (8.7%). Perioperative complications included atrial arrhythmia (n=3), acute renal failure (n=3), and low cardiac output syndrome (n=2). Late mortality occurred in 6 patients (26.1%). The overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 66.3% and 59.6%, respectively. Six patients (28.6%) suffered from homograft-related complications. Conclusion: Early results of homograft replacement in aortic position were favorable. However, close long-term follow-up is required due to the high rate of homograft-related events.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.193-196
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• 2017

A 14-year-old, castrated male, domestic shorthair cat was referred for gastrointestinal (GI) signs, including nausea, regurgitation, anorexia, and weight loss. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed thickening of the wall of the gastric and proximal duodenum, moderately enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and coarse echotexture of the splenic parenchyma. The results of the feline leukemia virus test were positive. Based on gastrointestinal endoscopic characteristics and histopathological examinations, low-grade alimentary lymphoma was identified in multiple regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone and chlorambucil chemotherapy, and the clinical signs resolved gradually. During serial follow-up, ultrasonographic findings demonstrated decreases in the duodenal wall thickness and size of the abdominal lymph nodes over a period of 550 days. Survival time was 886 days with prednisolone and chlorambucil chemotherapy. This report describes clinical features, imaging findings, endoscopic characteristics, histopathological features, and long-term management with chlorambucil chemotherapy in a case of feline low-grade alimentary lymphoma.

• 한국의류학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.763-774
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• 2016

Companies have recently become interested in the importance of long-term relationships with customers because business-based marketing ideas of the past have evolved into long-term relationship-based marketing. Establishing a relationship with customers to a company is not a simple method to form a market of consumers and provider; it is now understood as an important factor directly connected to the survival of a company. This study is to help Korean fashion brands in China build an efficient strategy for sales promotion and loyal customers through the analysis of the effect of familiarity with Korean fashion brands on satisfaction and brand loyalty in a rapidly growing Chinese fashion market. An online questionnaire covering Korean fashion brands in China was completed by 377 Chinese male and female customers aged 20 to 39 years old from March 20 to March 27, 2014. Data analysis was performed by factor analysis and path analysis using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS. Both direct experiences and indirect experiences influenced brand familiarity. It showed that brand familiarity had a significant direct effect and an indirect effect through satisfaction on brand loyalty. A competitive advantage in the present Chinese fashion market requires that loyalty builds and that brand loyalty increases by creating a long-term relationship with customers when familiarity about the brand is induced.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2019

Background: Although aortic valve repair can reduce prosthesis-related complications, rheumatic aortic regurgitation (AR) caused by leaflet restriction is a significant risk factor for recurrent AR. In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of the leaflet extension technique for rheumatic AR. Methods: Between 1995 and 2016, 33 patients underwent aortic valve repair using the leaflet extension technique with autologous pericardium for rheumatic pure AR. Twenty patients had severe AR and 9 had combined moderate or greater mitral regurgitation. Their mean age was $32.2{\pm}13.9$ years. The mean follow-up duration was $18.3{\pm}5.8$ years. Results: There were no cases of operative mortality, but postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients. Overall survival at 10 and 20 years was 93.5% and 87.1%, respectively. There were no thromboembolic cerebrovascular events, but 4 late deaths occurred, as well as a bleeding event in 1 patient who was taking warfarin. Twelve patients underwent aortic valve reoperation. The mean interval to reoperation was $13.1{\pm}6.1$ years. Freedom from reoperation at 10 and 20 years was 96.7% and 66.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The long-term results of the leaflet extension technique showed acceptable durability and a low incidence of thromboembolic events and bleeding. The leaflet extension technique may be a good option for young patients with rheumatic AR.