• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.36-41
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• 2023

A simple method was developed to determine residual p-arsanilic acid (ASA), an organo-arsenic compound used as a feed additive, in aquatic products (eel, halibut, and shrimp) using EDTA-assisted solvent extraction and LC-MRM. The method was successfully validated in terms of specificity, linearity (coefficient of determination ≥ 0.995), accuracy (recovery or R, 72.72-78.73%), precision (the relative standard deviation of R, 2.08-6.98%), and sensitivity (the lower limit of quantitation, 5 ppb) according to CODEX guidelines (CAC-GL 71-2009). The use of EDTA in the extraction solvent and water with a suitable pH modifier as the reconstitution solvent may be the key factors for successful results. This is the first method that can be used for monitoring residual ASA in aquatic products using LC-MRM and could contribute to establishing a better aquatic product safety management system.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2017

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of laser-assisted hatching (LAH) and various vitrification times for embryonic development and blastocyst cell numbers. Methods: First, 2-cell and 8-cell embryos were collected by flushing out the oviducts. In the control groups, they were vitrified for 8 or 10 minutes without LAH. The LAH groups underwent quarter laser zona thinning-assisted hatching before vitrification (4, 6, and 8 minutes or 4, 7, and 10 minutes, respectively). After incubation, double-immunofluorescence staining was performed. Results: The hatched blastocyst rate 72 hours after the 2-cell embryos were thawed was significantly higher in the 2LAH-ES8 group (33.3%) than in the other groups (p< 0.05). In the control-8 group ($22.1{\pm}4.6$), the cell number of the inner cell mass was higher than in the LAH groups (p< 0.05). The number of trophectoderm cells was higher in the 2LAH-ES6 group ($92.8{\pm}8.9$) than in the others (p< 0.05). The hatched blastocyst rate 48 hours after the 8-cell embryos were thawed was higher in the 8LAH-ES4 group (45.5%) than in the other groups, but not significantly. The inner cell mass cell number was highest in the 8LAH-ES7 group ($19.5{\pm}5.1$, p< 0.05). The number of trophectoderm cells was higher in the 8LAH-ES10 group ($73.2{\pm}12.1$) than in the other groups, but without statistical significance. Conclusion: When LAH was performed, 2-cell embryos with large blastomeres had a lower hatched blastocyst rate when the exposure to vitrification solution was shorter. Conversely, 8-cell embryos with small blastomere had a higher hatched blastocyst rate when the exposure to vitrification solution was shorter.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2019

Background: Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has proven safe and effective for pulmonary wedge resection and lobectomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of uniportal VATS segmentectomy by comparing its outcomes with those of the multiportal approach at a single center. Methods: The records of 84 patients who underwent VATS segmentectomy from August 2010 to August 2018, including 33 in the uniportal group and 51 in the multiportal group, were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results: Anesthesia and operative times were similar in the uniportal and multiportal groups (215 minutes vs. 220 minutes, respectively; p=0.276 and 180 minutes vs. 198 minutes, respectively; p=0.396). Blood loss was significantly lower in the uniportal group (50 mL vs. 100 mL, p=0.013) and chest tube duration and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the uniportal group (2 days vs. 3 days, p=0.003 and 4 days [range, 1-14 days] vs. 4 days [range, 1-62 days], p=0.011). The number of dissected lymph nodes tended to be lower in the uniportal group (5 vs. 8, p=0.056). Conclusion: Our preliminary experience indicates that uniportal VATS segmentectomy is safe and feasible in well-selected patients. A randomized, prospective study with a large group of patients and long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm these results.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.295-306
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of robot-assisted gait training on the active ranges of motion, gait abilities, and biomechanical characteristics of gait in patients who underwent lower extremity surgery, and to verify the effectiveness and clinical usefulness of robot-assisted gait training. Methods: This study was conducted on 14 subjects who underwent lower extremity surgery. The subjects participated in robot-assisted gait training for 2 weeks. The active ranges of motion of the lower extremities were evaluated, and gait abilities were assessed using 10-m and 2-min walk tests. An STT Systems Inertial Measurement Unit was used to collect data on biomechanical characteristics during gait. Spatiotemporal parameters were used to measure cadence, step length, and velocity, and kinematic parameters were used to measure hip and knee joint movement during gait. Results: Significant improvements in the active ranges of motion of the hip and knee joints (flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction) and in the 10-m and 2-min walk test results were observed after robot-assisted gait training (p < 0.05). In addition, biomechanical characteristics of gait, spatiotemporal factors (cadence, step length, and velocity), and kinematic factors (gait hip flexion-extension, internal rotation-external rotation angle, and knee joint flexion-extension) were also significantly improved (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study are of clinical importance as they demonstrate that robot-assisted gait training can be used as an effective intervention method for patients who have undergone lower extremity surgery. Furthermore, the findings of this study are clinically meaningful as they expand the scope of robot-assisted gait training, which is currently mainly applied to patients with central nervous system conditions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 2001

Column tests were conducted to investigate the optimal condition of surfactant solution pH that can affect the removal efficiency in surfactant-assisted remediation. Toluene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene were chosen as the model hydrophobic substances. Two Iowa soils, Fruitfield sand and Webster clay loam, were leached with solutions of 4%(v/v) sodium diphenyl oxide disulfonate (DOSL, trade name Dowfax 8390), or 4%(v/v) trideceth-19-carboxylic acid (TDCA, trade name Sandopan JA36), or 4% (v/v) octylphenoxypoly ethoxyethanol (OPEE, trade name Triton X100). The test results revealed that a maximum removal of toluene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was obtained at pH 10 of surfactant solution, and maximum recoveries of added toluene (94%) or 1 ,2,4- trichlorobenzene (97 %) were obtained for DOSL surfactant solution in Fruitfield sandy soil column. Increased removal efficiency by pH control of both toluene and 1,2,4trichlorobenzene was 16% and 20% for DOSL with Fruitfild sandy soil, respectively. In addition, the maximum recoveries of added toluene or I ,2,4-trichlorobenzene were 89% and 93% for DOSL surfactant solution in Webster clay loam soil column. The maximum increase of toluene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene removal was 26% and 19% for DOSL with Webster clay loam soil, respectively. These experimental results indicate that maintaining a high pH surfactant solution in surfactant-assisted remediation is desirable for efficient removal of NAPLs from contminated soils.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.143-148
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• 2013

A novel ultracompact polarization beam-splitter (PBS) combining two plasmonic multimode interference couplers (P-MMICs) and DFB guiding structure is implemented. The $2{\times}1$ and $1{\times}2$ P-MMICs are designed to collect the polarized powers of TE and TM modes reflected by or transmitted through an internal DFB structure. The simulation results show that the designed DFB-assisted PBS is very short (about $75{\mu}m$), and has a low insertion loss, a high extinction ratio, and a broad bandwidth of 20 nm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.53-57
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• 2020

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has become the major surgical option for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Endoscopic instruments such as stapler cartridges are essential for VATS procedures. In this study, we investigated the factors that affect the number of stapler cartridges used in VATS lobectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients who underwent complete VATS lobectomy for NSCLC from January 2013 to December 2015. Results: In total, 596 patients underwent complete VATS lobectomy. The average number of stapler cartridges used for VATS lobectomy was 5.3±1.9. The number of stapler cartridges used for VATS lobectomy was higher in men (5.5±1.9 vs. 5.0±18, p=0.006), those aged older than 70 years (5.5±2.1 vs. 5.1±1.7, p=0.038), those who underwent upper or middle lobectomy procedures (5.7±1.9 vs. 4.1±1.2, p<0.001), those with a higher fissure sum average (p<0.001), and those in whom surgery was performed by a surgeon with a preference for staplers (5.6±2.0 vs. 4.9±1.6, p<0.001). Conclusion: The number of stapler cartridges required to perform VATS lobectomy in NSCLC patients appears to be influenced by sex, age, the location of the tumor, the degree of fissure development, and the surgeon's preference.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5077-5081
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• 2014

To clarify whether gastric cancer patients can benefit from laparoscopy-assisted surgery completed by junior surgeons under supervision of expert surgeons, data of 232 patients with gastric cancer underwent operation performed by inexperienced junior surgeons were reviewed. Of the 232 patients, 137 underwent laparoscopy-assisted resection and in 118 cases this approach was successful. All of these 118 patients were assigned to laparoscopic group in this study, 19 patients who were switched to open resection were excluded. All laparoscopic operations were performed under the supervision of expert laparoscopic surgeons. Some 95 patients receiving open resection were assigned to the open group. All open operations were completed independently by the same surgeons. Short-term outcomes including oncologic outcomes, operative time intra-operative blood loss, time to first flatus, time to first defecation, postoperative hospital stay and perioperative complication were compared between the two groups. The numbers of lymph nodes harvested in the laparoscopic and open groups were $21.1{\pm}9.6$ and $18.2{\pm}9.7$ (p=0.029). There was no significant difference in the length of margins. The mean operative time was $215.9{\pm}32.2$ min in laparoscopic group and $220.1{\pm}34.6min$ in the open group (p=0.866), and the mean blood loss in laparoscopic group was obviously less than that in open group ($200.9{\pm}197.0ml$ vs $291.1{\pm}191.4ml$; p=0.001). Time to first flatus in laparoscopic and open groups was $4.0{\pm}1.0$ days and $4.3{\pm}1.2$ days respectively and the difference was not significant (p=0.135). Similarly no statically significant difference was noted for time to first defecation ($4.7{\pm}1.6$ vs $4.8{\pm}1.6$, p=0.586). Eleven patients in the laparoscopic group and 19 in the open group suffered from peri-operative complications and the difference between the two groups was significant (9.3% vs 20.0%, p=0.026). The conversion rate for laparoscopic surgery was 13.9%. Patients with gastric cancer can benefit from laparoscopy-assisted operations completed by inexperienced junior surgeons under supervision of expert laparoscopic surgeons.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2002

Purpose: Suprapubic bladder aspiration(SBA) of urine is the most reliable method to obtain urine avoiding contamination in non-toilet trained infants. Ultrasonography is a useful tool for guiding the anatomic location as well as for direct visualization during procedure. We evaluated the success rate and complication of ultrasound(US) assisted SBA Methods. Sixty infants who visited Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, with suspected urinary tract infection were randomly divided into the US assisted (n=32) and blind SBA(control, n=28) group. In US assisted SBA group, the anteroposterior(AP), transverse, and sagittal diameters and the volume of the bladder were measured. In the blind SBA group, urine was blindly aspirated when the urinary bladder was palpated at the suprapubic area. The rate of successful urine aspiration, the number of attempts until successful aspiration, aspirated urine volume were compared between the two groups. Results: The success rate was $100\%$(32/32) in the US assisted group, which was significantly higher than $85.7\%$(24/28) of the control group (P<0.05). The aspirated urine volume in the US assisted group was $7.4{\pm}3.7\;mL$, which was significantly higher than $4.5{\pm}3.4\;mL$ of the control group (P<0.05), The diameters and volume of bladder in successful aspiration were $2.1{\pm}0.7\;cm$ in AP diameter, $3.1{\pm}0.6\;cm$ in transverse diameter, $4.2{\pm}1.0\;cm$ in sagittal diameter and $15.2{\pm}10.4\;mL$ in volume, which were significantly higher than those ($1.7{\pm}0.3\;cm,\;1.7{\pm}0.3\;cm,\;1.8{\pm}0.7\;cm,\;2.4{\pm]0.6\;cm,\;3.9{\pm}2.5$) of the control group (P<0.05) The correlations between the AP(r=0.78), transverse (r=0.72), sagittal(r=0.91) diameter and bladder volume were significant (P<0.05). SBA was $100\%$ successful in the AP diameter >3 cm, transverse diameter >4 cm, depth >4 cm and bladder volume >5 mL. Conclusion: US assistance can significantly improve the success rate of SBA in infant with suspected urinary tract infection. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2002 ; 6 : 68-74)

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2023

Objective: Surgically assisted maxillary protraction is an alternative protocol in severe Class III cases or after the adolescent growth spurt involving increased maxillary advancement. Correction of the maxillary deficiency has been suggested to improve pharyngeal airway dimensions. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to analyze the airway changes cephalometrically following surgically assisted maxillary protraction with skeletal anchorage and Class III elastics. Methods: The study population consisted of 15 Class III patients treated with surgically assisted maxillary protraction combined with skeletal anchorage and Class III elastics (mean age: 12.9 ± 1.2 years). Growth changes were initially assessed for a mean of 5.5 ± 1.6 months prior to treatment. Airway and skeletal changes in the control (T0), pre-protraction (T1), post-protraction (T2), and follow-up (T3) periods were monitored and compared using lateral cephalometric radiographs. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The skeletal or airway parameters showed no statistically significant changes during the control period. Sella to nasion angle, N perpendicular to A, Point A to Point B angle, and Frankfort plane to mandibular plane angle increased significantly during the maxillary protraction period (p < 0.05), but no significant changes were observed in airway parameters (p > 0.05). No statistically significant changes were observed in the airway parameters in the follow-up period either. However, Sella to Gonion distance increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the follow-up period. Conclusions: No significant changes in pharyngeal airway parameters were found during the control, maxillary protraction, and follow-up periods. Moreover, the significant increases in the skeletal parameters during maxillary protraction were maintained in the long-term.