• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.267-271
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• 2004

Compensatory sweating is the main cause of patient dissatisfaction after sympathetic surgery for craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Surgery that sympathetic nerve trunk preserved and extent of resection limited was introduced to decrease compensatory sweating. From Jan 2000 to July 2002, the vidio-assisted thoracoscopic T2 sympathetic clipping and rami comunicantes selective division were performed in 36 patients suffering from craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Twenty two patients underwent a T2 sympathetic nerve clipping (Group 1), and fourteen patients underwent division of the T2 ramicommunicates (Group 2). We retrospectively analysed the rate of satisfaction, dryness of face, the rate of compensatory sweating, grade of compensatory sweating. The dryness of face was that no statistical difference between group 1 and group 2 (p=0.387); group1: dry 22.7% (5/22), humid 77.3% (17/22) group 2: dry 14.3% (2/14), humid 78.5% (11/14), persist 7.2% (1/14). The rate of satisfaction was 77.3% in T2 clipping and 64.2% in T2 sympathicotomy with no significant in the statistic analysis (p=0.396). The rate of compensatory sweating on group 2 was lower than group 1 (p=0.042); 95.4% (21/22) in T1 sympathetic clipping and 71.4% in T2 ramicotomy. The rate of embarrassing and disabling compensatory sweating was 70.5% (embarassing 8 patients, disabling 9 patients) in T2 clipping and 42.9% (embarassing 8 patients, disabling 9 patients)in T2 ramicotomy with statistically significant difference (p=0.036). The sympathetic trunk preservation surgery for craniofacial hyperhidrosis (T2 ramicotomy) redueced the rate of compensatory sweating when compared to the blocking surgery of sypathetic trunk (T2 clipping).

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the short-term operative outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) with those of open total gastrectomy (OTG) for patients suffering with advanced upper gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Of the 47 patients who underwent LATG with $D1+{\beta}$ or D2 lymphadenectomy from July 2004 to March 2008, 29 patients with pathologically proven advanced gastric cancer were compared with 35 patients who underwent conventional OTG during the same time period. The comparison was based on the clinicopathological characteristics, the surgical outcome, the follow-up survival and tumor recurrence. Results: The patients' age, gender and body mass index were similar between the two groups. However, there were statistically differences in tumor size ($9.2{\pm}3.9$ vs $6.1{\pm}3.6cm$, P=0.002) and the proximal resected margin ($2.1{\pm}2.0$ vs $3.6{\pm}2.1cm$ P=0.004). There was no significant difference in most of the peri- and post-operative courses such as the time to first flatus, the time to starting a solid diet and the length of the hospital stay, except for a longer operating time (289.0 vs. 361.3 minutes, P<0.001) in the LATG group. The complication rate was higher in the LATG group (13.8%) than that in the OTG group (5.7%). The mean overall survival and disease free survival times were 32 and 31 months, and 24 and 28 months, respectively, with an average 18.8 months follow-up duration. The main recurrent sites were peritoneum and lymph node in both groups. Conclusion: The early results of the current study suggest that LATG for AGC is technically feasible and it does not show any inferiorities of the postoperative outcomes as compared to those of conventional open total gastrectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.260-265
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• 2018

Background: A method of wound closure using knotless suture material in the chest tube site has been introduced at our center, and is now widely used as the primary method of closing chest tube wounds in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) because it provides cosmetic benefits and causes less pain. Methods: We included 109 patients who underwent VATS pulmonary resection at Samsung Medical Center from October 1 to October 31, 2016. Eighty-five patients underwent VATS pulmonary resection with chest drain wound closure utilizing knotless suture material, and 24 patients underwent VATS pulmonary resection with chest drain wound closure by the conventional method. Complications related to the chest drain wound were compared between the 2 groups. Results: There were 2 cases of pneumothorax after chest tube removal in both groups (8.3% in the conventional group, 2.3% in the knotless suture group; p=0.172) and there was 1 case of wound discharge due to wound dehiscence in the knotless suture group (0% in the conventional group, 1.2% in the knotless suture group; p=0.453). There was no reported case of chest tube dislodgement in either group. The complication rates were non-significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: The results for the complication rates of this new chest drain wound closure method suggest that this method is not inferior to the conventional method. Chest drain wound closure using knotless suture material is feasible based on the short-term results of the complication rate.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare the dye leakage of MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) apical plug produced by two orthograde placement techniques (hand condensation technique and ultrasonically assisted hand condensation technique). To simulate straight canal, 60 transparent acrylic blocks with straight canal were fabricated. These transparent acrylic blocks were divided into 2 groups (Group C; hand condensation technique (HC) and Group U; ultrasonically assisted hand condensation technique (UAHC)) of 30 blocks with each MTA application method. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups (n=15) with different canal size of #70 (subgroup C70 and subgroup U70) and #120 (subgroup C120 and subgroup U120). After apical plug was created, a wet paper point was placed over the MTA plug and specimen was kept in a humid condition at room temperature to allow MTA to set. After 24 hours, remaining canal space was backfilled using Obtura II. All specimens were transferred to floral form socked by 0.2% rhodamine B solution and stored in 100% humidity at room temperature. After 48 hours, resin block specimens were washed and scanned using a scanner. The maximum length of micro leakage was measured from the scanned images of four surfaces of each resin block using Photoshop 6.0. Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test. Group U of UAHC had significantly lower leakage than Group C of HC in #70-size canal (subgroup U70) (p<0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.101-105
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• 2015

Objective: Several publications have established a relationship between sperm DNA damage and male factor infertility, based on data from America, Europe, and Asia. This study aimed to compare the extent of sperm DNA damage in sperm samples from Nigerian men with unexplained infertility and in sperm samples from a fertile group composed of sperm donors who had successfully impregnated a female partner naturally or through assisted conception. Methods: A total of 404 men underwent male fertility evaluation at Androcare Laboratories and Cryobank participated in this study. Semen analysis and a sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) were performed on all subjects. Results: The men in the unexplained infertility group were slightly older than the men in the fertile sperm group ($36{\pm}10$ years vs. $32{\pm}6$ years, p=0.051). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in semen analysis parameters ($p{\geq}0.05$). Men in the unexplained infertility group with normal semen parameters had a significantly higher DNA fragmentation index (DFI) than men in the fertile sperm group ($27.5%{\pm}7.0%$ vs. $14.1%{\pm}5.3%$, p<0.05). In the unexplained infertility group, 63% of the men had a DFI greater than 20%, compared to 4% in the fertile sperm group. In the unexplained infertility group, 15.2% of the subjects had a DFI greater than 30%, compared to 1% in the fertile sperm group. Conclusion: Our study showed that the SCSA may be a more reliable predictor of fertility potential than traditional semen analysis in cases of unexplained infertility.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.151-154
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• 1987

Total 114 patients were studied prospectively with radioiodine uptake (RAIU) and $^{99m}TcO_4^-$ thyroid scan to design a very simple, rapid and inexpensive method measuring the thyroid uptake on thyroid scan. After the RAIU was obtained at 24 hours after P.O. of $^{131}I$, Thyroid scan was performed at 20 minutes after LV. of $^{99m}TcO_4^-$ and the bilateral salivary glands were included in the scan field. Pinhole collimated and computer assisted gamma camera was used. Three regions of interest were set on each salivary gland and on the thyroid by automatic edge detection method. Mean counts per pixel were calculated for each ROI and the salivary-thyroid ratio (STR) was defined as; $$STR(%)=\frac{Mean\;counts\;per\;pixel\;of\;salivary\;glands\;(KC)}{Mean\;counts\;per\;pixel\;of\;thyroid\;gland\;(KC)}\times100$$ 114 cases consisted of 41 normal, 55 hyperthyroid and 18 hypothyroid patients and correlation between the STR and the RAID were evaluated in total and each group. The STR and the RAID showed reverse linear regression in 114 cases (r= -0.8, P=0) and closer correlation was shown in hyperthyroid group (r= -0_9, p=0). Mean STR in normal group was 47.6%. In predicting the RAID by STR, sensitivity and specificity were 88.3% and 64.9% in 114 cases and 95.3% and 83.3% in hyperthyroid group. It is recommended that the STR be used in place of the RAID giving same information at saving time, money and radiation exposure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to overcome some of the limiting factors that the maxi cryopreservation straw of 5 ml presents in processing boar semen. Cryopreservation of semen samples was conducted in 0.5 ml and 5.0 ml straws at two freezing rates: -140℃ in 8 minutes and 30 seconds (FR-1) and -140℃ in 14 minutes (FR-2). The straws were then thawed and the semen parameters were compared by Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, and sperm morphology and acrosome status were examined by Coomassie blue staining. The effects of different thawing temperatures and durations were also compared, namely 37℃ for 115 sec, 50℃ for 45 sec, or 70℃ for 25 sec. In general, the FR-1 group showed higher (p<0.05) sperm viability and motility than the FR-2 group in the 5.0 ml straws. Compared to other ranges, thawing at 50℃ for 45 sec showed the highest sperm viability and motility (68.4±3.6% and 69.5±2.2%, p<0.05), suggesting that thawing temperature should be adjusted concurrently with freezing rate. Sperm morphology and acrosome integrity did not significantly differ among the groups (p>0.05). The data obtained in this study suggest that improving the freezing-thawing protocol for one artificial insemination dose straws (5.0 ml) retains the sperm's parameters from 0.5 ml cryopreservation, and is more convenient to handle, which could result in enhanced reproductive performance.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.263-266
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• 2010

Prediction of semen's fertilizing ability used in artificial insemination (AI) is one of very important factors on pig reproductive performance. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been used for indirect evaluation of sperm's fertilizing ability and it has been showed as highly correlated index. In swine industry, increasing interest in preservation of boar semen raises questions on the sperm motility from semen used in commercial AI centers. Mitochondria in sperm mid-piece generate the energy to support motility and could be an explanation of impaired fertility. Objective of this study was to suggest usable sperm motility to farms in measuring the effect of sperm motility and sperm abnormality on in vitro production of embryo in which sperm's fertilizing ability can be determined indirectly. Semen samples were provided from local AI center and used within 3 days after collection. Semen samples were divided by 4 different motile groups (>70%; 61~70%; 51~60%; <50%) using CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) on the days of IVF. Developmental rate to the blastocyst stage from over 61% motile sperm group showed significantly higher rate than below 60% motile sperm group ($16.5{\pm}0.7{\sim}18.4{\pm}0.8%$ vs $6.3{\pm}0.8{\sim}11.5{\pm}0.7%$, p<0.05). In experiment to determine the relationship between sperm motility and viability and abnormality, over 61% motile sperm groups showed significantly higher viability rate compared to below 60% motile sperm groups ($84.8{\pm}4.0{\sim}88.1{\pm}4.0%$ vs $69.1{\pm}4.0{\sim}74.2{\pm}4.0%$, p<0.05). On the other hand, morphological sperm abnormality showed significantly higher in over 70% motile sperm group ($10.2{\pm}2.2$ vs $16.0{\pm}2.2{\sim}21.0{\pm}2.2%$, p<0.05). In experiment to find the correlation between sperm motility of 4 different motile groups and amount of mitochondria, lower motility group also showed lower level of mitochondria (p<0.05). The mitochondria parameter used in this study showed another possibility to differentiate the sperm motility. Taken together, because below 60% motile semen used in AI reduce the fertility, AI centers should provide the over 60% motile sperm to the farms at the time of AI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.456-460
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• 2016

Background: Surgical correction needs to be considered when diaphragm eventration leads to impaired ventilation and respiratory muscle fatigue. Plication to sufficiently tense the diaphragm by VATS is not as easy to achieve as plication by open surgery. We used pneumatic compression with carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) gas in thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication and evaluated feasibility and efficacy. Methods: Eleven patients underwent thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication between January 2008 and December 2013 in Pusan National University Hospital. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and compared between the group using $CO_2$ gas and group without using $CO_2$ gas, for operative time, plication technique, duration of hospital stay, postoperative chest tube drainage, pulmonary spirometry, dyspnea score pre- and postoperation, and postoperative recurrence. Results: The improvement of forced expiratory volume at 1 second in the group using $CO_2$ gas and the group not using $CO_2$ gas was $22.46{\pm}11.27$ and $21.08{\pm}5.39$ (p=0.84). The improvement of forced vital capacity 3 months after surgery was $16.74{\pm}10.18$ (with $CO_2$) and $15.6{\pm}0.89$ (without $CO_2$) (p=0.03). During follow-up ($17{\pm}17$ months), there was no dehiscence in plication site and relapse. No complications or hospital mortalities occurred. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic plication under single lung ventilation using $CO_2$ insufflation could be an effective, safe option to flatten the diaphragm.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.249-252
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• 2009

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was employed to assess the thermo-tolerance characteristics of Bifrdobacterium infantis ATCC 27920 to mild heat adaptation. When exposed to various heat levels, pH, and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) stress conditions, B. infantis ATCC 27920 exhibited high level of stress resistance. Under mild-heat treatment ($46^{\circ}C$), no significant change in viability level was observed after 2 hr. Interestingly, improved viability was observed in mild-heat adapted ($46^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr) cultures exposed to $55^{\circ}C$, in comparison to control experiments. Viability was not affected by pH, bile, and $H_2O_2$ stress conditions. 2-DE analysis revealed those mild-heat adaptation up-regulated 4 proteins and down-regulated 3 proteins. Among these protein spots, isopropyhnalate dehydratase (leuD), glycosyltransferase (glgA), and ribosomal protein L5 (rp1E) were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALD1-TOF/MS).