• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2004

Acute spinal cord injury can produce neurologic injury with many physical, psychological and social ramifications. It has been shown that two separate components combine to produce neurologic damage in acute spinal cord injury : the primary and secondary injuries. The primary mediators of spinal cord injury include the actual mechanical tissue disruption which is a passive process that occurs immediately following the trauma. A secondary injury cascade follows which appears mediated by cellular and molecular processes working through complex mechanisms. Both the primary and secondary injury cascades produce cell death both in neuronal and supporting cell tissues. Recovery from central nervous system(CNS) disorders is hindered by the limited ability of the vertebrate CNS to regenerate injured cells, replace damaged myelin sheath, and re-establish functional neuronal connections. Of many CNS disorders including multiple sclerosis, stroke, and other trauma, spinal cord injury is one of the important diseases because of the direct association with the functional loss of the body. Previous studies suggest that substantial recovery of function might be achieved through regeneration of lost neuronal cells and remyelination of intact axon in spinal cord injury which is occurred frequently. As a therapeutic approach in spinal cord injury, recently, cell transplantation provides a potential solution for the treatment of spinal cord injury. This review describes the characteristics of spinal cord injury and presents some evidence supporting functional recovery after cell transplantation following spinal cord injury.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.478-484
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• 2007

Purpose: Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is a relatively rare disorder characterized by presence of multiple, symmetric, nonencapsulated fat masses in face, neck, shoulder and other areas. There has been only a few cases reported in Korea. The main purpose of this research is to examine the Korean patients to see what kinds of special characteristics occurred due to this disease and to decide the proper treatment.Methods: A total of 16 patients were evaluated retrospectively. 5 patients were treated at our hospital. The other patients were reviewed from literature. We analyzed the biological characters of patients, location of fat deposit, morphologic characters of patients, clinical evidence of neuropathy, associated metabolic disorders and treatment modality.Results: All cases were male patient. The mean age of onset was 47.43 years. All patients were moderate to heavy alcoholics. The most common location of fat deposition was posterior neck and abdomen. In neurologic exam of 9 patients, 5 patients showed muscle weakness, tremor, pain and autonomic nerve dysfunction. In metabolic studies of 9 patients, total cholesterol values were higher in 1 patient. A glucose tolerance test was abnormal in 1 patient. In treatment modality, 14 patients were treated with surgical resection, 1 patient was treated with liposuction and surgical excision, 1 patient was treated only with liposuction. Conclusion: To treat MSL patients successfully, we should concentrate not only on the removal of the fatty tissue but also on neurologic abnormities, metabolic disorders and associated diseases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.494-497
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• 2011

Purpose: Schwannoma, a benign peripheral nerve tumor, is slow-growing, encapsulated neoplasm that originates from the Schwann cell of the nerve sheath. Schwannoma most frequently involves the major nerve. Schwannoma occurring in the superficial radial nerve rare. This is a report of our experience with schwannoma arising from the superficial radial nerve with neurologic symptom. Methods: A 55-year-old woman presented with eight-month history of progressive numbness and paresthesia in dorsum of the thumb and index finger. Physical examination revealed a localized mass on the midforearm. Sonographic examination showed an ovoid, heterogenous, hypoechoic lesion, located eccentrically in related to the superficial radial nerve. The lesion was mobile in the transverse but not in the longitudinal axis of the nerve, which was thought to favour schwannoma rather than neurofibroma. At operation, a $20{\times}15mm$ ovoid, yellowish grey mass was seen arising from the superficial radial nerve. The tumor present as eccentric masses over which the nerve fibers are splayed. Using operating microscope, the tumor was removed, preserving the surrounding nerve. Results: Histology confirmed that the mass was a benign schwannoma. There were no postoperative complications. After two months the patient had no clinically demonstrable sensory deficit. Conclusion: An unsusual case of a schwannoma of the superficial radial nerve is presented. In case with neurologic symptom, prompt surgical decompression must be made to prevent further nerve damage and to restore nerve function early.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.511-517
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• 1992

From January 1988 to December 1990, 18 adult patients with aortic disease underwent surgical repair using hypothermia and total circulatory arrest. The age at operation ranged from 17 years to 64 years[mean 45.2$\pm$10.7 years]. We disease entities included aortic dissection in 12, aortoannuloectasia in 3 and thoracic aortic aneurysm in 3 cases. Partial cardiopulmonary bypass via femoral vessels along with surface cooling was used upon the induction of deep hypothermia[18~20oC]. Modified Bentall operation was performed in 7 cases, ascending aorta replacement in 6, graft interposition in descending thoracic aorta in 3 and others in 2 cases. The circulatory arrest was maintained for periods of 2 minutes to 86 mimutes[mean 34.7$\pm$5.0 minutes]. Overall hospital mortality was 27.8%[5/18]: brain damage was responsible for the death of 2 patients. 4 patients out of 13 survivors experienced postoperative neurologic dysfunction, which was proved to be self-limited except one case showing left hemiparesis. 12 patients were followed up postoperatively with the mean follow-up period 22.7$\pm$10.1 months. There was no death. No new neurologic problems were observed during follow-up period. All but one patient showing recurrent dissection and aortic regurgitation are in exellent clinical condition. These clinical data suggests that the principle of deep hypothermia and total circulatory arrest can be applied rather safely in adult patients, especially in the treatment of patients with aortic disease, it can be a valuable adjunct with better clinical results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2001

Object : We intended to investigate the relationship between the degree of injury on MRI and the outcome of the patients with diffuse axonal inury. Method : From january, 1995 to march, 1999, 22 patients were supposed to have diffuse axonal injuries by means of their neurologic signs and MRI. We investigated their prognosis according to CT, MRI and initial neurologic findings. Result : 1) The lesions were mainly located at white matter of cerebrum, corpus callosum, brainstem, and basal ganglia. 2) The lesions of white matter were most commonly in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe. 3) The majority of corpus callosal lesions were located in the posterior body and splenium, but anterior corpus callosal lesions combined with posterior lesions were not found. 4) Brainstem lesions, all non-hemorrhagic, were mostly located in the dorsolateral aspect, not be found on CT. 5) The brainstem lesions were found in 10 cases among total 22 cases, and corpus callosal lesions were accompanied with 8 cases of brainstem lesions. 6) The patients with brainstem lesions had worse prognosis. Conclusion : It is important and reasonable to take brain MRI to identify the brainstem lesions in any cases of suspicious diffuse axonal injury, and we should remind that the diffuse axonal injury with stem lesion has worse prognosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.383-388
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• 2021

Background: Achieving external access to and manual occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) during minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) through a small right thoracotomy is difficult. Occlusion of the LAA using an epicardial closure device seems quite useful compared to other surgical techniques. Methods: Fourteen patients with atrial fibrillation underwent MIMVS with concomitant surgical occlusion of the LAA using double-layered endocardial closure stitches (n=6, endocardial suture group) or the AtriClip Pro closure device (n=8, AtriClip group) at our institution. The primary safety endpoint was any device-related adverse event, and the primary efficacy endpoint was successful complete occlusion of blood flow into the LAA as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography at hospital discharge. The primary efficacy endpoint for stroke reduction was the occurrence of ischemic or hemorrhagic neurologic events. Results: All patients underwent LAA occlusion as scheduled. The cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times in the endocardial suture group and the AtriClip group were 202±39 and 128±41 minutes, and 213±53 and 136±44 minutes, respectively (p=0.68, p=0.73). No patients in either group experienced any device-related serious adverse events, incomplete LAA occlusion, early postoperative stroke, or neurologic complication. Conclusion: Epicardial LAA occlusion using the AtriClip Pro during MIMVS in patients with mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation is a simple, safe, and effective adjunctive procedure.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.258-263
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• 2021

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is defined as the involvement of the peripheral nervous system in lymphocytic invasion. It is a very rare form of lymphoma that may occur as an initial presentation or recurrence. It affects various peripheral nervous structures and can therefore mimic disc-related nerve root pathology or compressive mononeuropathy. NL often occurs in malignant B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Notwithstanding its aggressiveness or intractability, NL should be discriminated from other neurologic complications of lymphoma. Herein, we present a case of primary NL as the initial presentation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the sciatic nerve. The patient presented with weakness and pain in his left leg but had no obvious lesion explaining the neurologic deficit on initial lumbosacral and knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). NL of the left sciatic nerve at the greater sciatic foramen was diagnosed based on subsequent hip MRI, electrodiagnostic test, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and nerve biopsy findings. Leg weakness slightly improved after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We report a case wherein NL, a rare cause of leg weakness, manifested as the initial presentation of primary DLBCL involving the sciatic nerve at the greater sciatic foramen.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.606-624
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different doses of Geumnyeonyijin-tang (GNYJT) water extracts with those of metformin (250 mg/kg) in mild diabetic-obese mice. Methods and Results: The 48 mice were divided into 1 normal pellet diet (NFD) group and 5 high-fat diet (HFD) groups. At the end of 12 weeks of oral administration of metformin (250 mg/kg) or GNYJT water extracts (400, 200, or100 mg/kg), the effects were evaluated. The HFD control mice showed noticeable increases in body weight, adipose tissue density, fat pad weight of the periovarian and abdominal wall, and insulin, blood glucose, and HbA1c levels, with decreases in serum HDL levels. Increases in the periovarian and dorsal abdominal fat pad, regions of steatohepatitis, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hepatocyte hypertrophy were also discovered. The HFD group showed a decline in glucose levels and elevation of hepatic gluconeogenesis, suggesting an HFD-induced AMPK downregulation related to glucose dysregulation, as well as lipid metabolism related to obese insulin-resistant type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress related diabetic hepatopathy (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD). Conclusion: Assessment of the key parameters for inhibition of diabetes and related complications in HFD-fed diabetic-obese mice demonstrated that GNYJT water extracts have favorable ameliorating effects. The effect of GNYJT was manifested through the stimulation of AMPK upregulation of related hepatic glucose enzyme activities and expression of lipid metabolism-related genes. Therefore, appropriate oral dosages of GNYJT could be promising as a new preventive candidate for controlling diabetes and related complications. Further screening of biologically active compounds, elucidation of detailed mechanisms, and more animal studies are warranted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.462-469
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• 2022

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is used to treat carotid stenosis, which is associated with cerebral infarction and may result in neurologic deficits such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and local nerve injury. To decrease surgery-related complications and improve patient satisfaction with esthetic outcomes, efforts have been made to minimize incision size instead of using a standard longitudinal incision. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 151 cases of CEA, of which 110 used conventional incisions and 41 used high mini-skin incisions (HMIs), from March 2015 to December 2021 at a single institution. Short-term (30-day) postoperative results were evaluated for rates of mortality, stroke, TIA, and cranial/cervical nerve injuries. Risk factors for nerve injury were also assessed. Results: The HMI group showed significantly (p<0.01) shorter operative and clamp times than the conventional group. The HMI group also had significantly shorter incision lengths (5.3±0.9 cm) than the conventional group (11.5±2.8 cm). The rates of stroke, TIA, and death at 30 days were not significantly different between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of cranial and cervical nerve injuries, and all injuries were transient. A high lesion level (odds ratio [OR], 9.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.21-28.42; p<0.01) and the clamp time (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12; p<0.01) were found to be risk factors for nerve injuries. Conclusion: Use of the HMI in CEA for carotid stenosis was advantageous for its shorter operative time, shorter internal carotid artery clamp time, reduced neurologic complications, and improved esthetics.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2022

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare genetic disease caused by a deficiency of enzymes for the synthesis of bile acid, resulting in the accumulation of cholestanol with reduced chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) production and causing various symptoms such as chronic diarrhea in infancy, juvenile cataracts in childhood, tendon xanthomas in adolescence and young adulthood, and progressive neurologic dysfunction in adulthood. Because oral CDCA replacement therapy can effectively prevent disease progression, early diagnosis and treatment are critical in CTX. This study reports the case of CTX in a 10-year-old male who presented with Achilles tendon xanthoma and mild intellectual disability. Biochemical testing showed normal cholesterol and sitosterol levels but elevated cholestanol levels. Genetic testing showed compound heterozygous variants of CYP27A1, c.379C>T (p.Arg127Trp), and c.1214G>A (p.Arg405Gln), which confirmed the diagnosis of CTX. The patient had neither cataracts nor other focal neurologic deficits and showed no abnormalities on brain imaging. The patient received oral CDCA replacement therapy without any adverse effects; thereafter, the cholestanol level decreased and no disease progression was noted. The diagnostic possibility of CTX should be considered in patients with tendon xanthoma and normolipidemic conditions to prevent neurological deterioration.