• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.64 no.5
• /
• pp.791-798
• /
• 2021

Objective : The period of mechanical ventilator (MV)-dependent respiratory failure after cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) varies from patient to patient. This study aimed to identify predictors of MV at hospital discharge (MVDC) due to prolonged respiratory failure among patients with MV after CSCI. Methods : Two hundred forty-three patients with CSCI were admitted to our institution between May 2006 and April 2018. Their medical records and radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Level and completeness of injury were defined according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standards. Respiratory failure was defined as the requirement for definitive airway and assistance of MV. We also evaluated magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the cervical spine. These characteristics included : maximum canal compromise (MCC); intramedullary hematoma or cord transection; and integrity of the disco-ligamentous complex for assessment of the Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) scoring. The inclusion criteria were patients with CSCI who underwent decompression surgery within 48 hours after trauma with respiratory failure during hospital stay. Patients with Glasgow coma scale 12 or lower, major fatal trauma of vital organs, or stroke caused by vertebral artery injury were excluded from the study. Results : Out of 243 patients with CSCI, 30 required MV during their hospital stay, and 27 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 48.1% (13/27) of patients had MVDC with greater than 30 days MV or death caused by aspiration pneumonia. In total, 51.9% (14/27) of patients could be weaned from MV during 30 days or less of hospital stay (MV days : MVDC 38.23±20.79 vs. MV weaning, 13.57±8.40; p<0.001). Vital signs at hospital arrival, smoking, the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Associated injury with Injury Severity Score, SLIC score, and length of cord edema did not differ between the MVDC and MV weaning groups. The ASIA impairment scale, level of injury within C3 to C6, and MCC significantly affected MVDC. The MCC significantly correlated with MVDC, and the optimal cutoff value was 51.40%, with 76.9% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, MCC >51.4% was a significant risk factor for MVDC (odds ratio, 7.574; p=0.039). Conclusion : As a method of predicting which patients would be able to undergo weaning from MV early, the MCC is a valid factor. If the MCC exceeds 51.4%, prognosis of respiratory function becomes poor and the probability of MVDC is increased.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with glyphosate poisoning has a poor prognosis. This study aimed to predict the risk factors for AKI in patients with glyphosate poisoning at the emergency department (ED). Methods: Clinical data on glyphosate poisoning patients at ED who were older than 18 years were collected retrospectively between January 2013 and December 2019. The clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of the AKI group in patients with glyphosate poisoning were compared with the non-AKI (NAKI) group. Results: Of 63 glyphosate poisoning patients, AKI was observed in 15 (23.8%). The AKI patients group showed the following: old age (p=0.038), low systolic blood pressure (p=0.021), large amount of ingestion (p=0.026), delayed hospital visits (p=0.009), high white blood cells (WBC) (p<0.001), high neutrophil counts (p<0.001), high neutrophil-lymphocyte (LN) ratios (p<0.001), high serum potassium (p=0.005), low arterial blood pH (p=0.015), and low pO2 (p=0.021), low bicarbonate (p=0.009), and high Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) (p<0.001). AKI patients required hemodialysis, ventilator care (p<0.001, p=0.002), and inotropics (p<0.001). They also showed more intensive care unit admission (p<0.001), longer hospitalization (p<0.001), and high mortality (p<0.001). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that high WBCs (OR, 1.223) and increased LN ratios (OR, 1.414) were independently associated with the occurrence of AKI. Conclusion: In patients with glyphosate poisoning at ED, high WBCs and increased LN ratios can help predict the occurrence of AKI.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study was based on the Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) member survey and aimed to report the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries over the last few decades. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 36 questions was sent to all KFAS members in September 2021. The questions were mainly related to the preferred techniques and clinical experiences in the treatment of patients with syndesmotic injuries. Answers with a prevalence ≥50% of respondents were considered a tendency. Results: Seventy-six (13.8%) of the 550 members responded to the survey. The results showed that the most preferred method to diagnose a syndesmotic injury was magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intraoperatively, the external rotation stress test and the Cotton test were most frequently used to confirm syndesmotic diastasis. The reduction was usually done by a reduction clamp. One 3.5-mm screw was used most frequently over three cortices at 2~4 cm above the ankle joint. The preferred ankle position during fixation was 0° dorsiflexion. Removal of the syndesmotic screw was routinely done by most surgeons, mainly because of the limitation of movement and risk of screw breakage. Factors that affect suture button selection included non-rigid fixation which enables adequate fixation, early weight-bearing, and an infrequent need to remove the hardware. Inadequate reduction was considered the main factor that affects poor prognosis. Conclusion: This study proposes updated information about the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries in Korea. Consensuses in both the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with syndesmotic injury were identified in this survey study. This study may raise the awareness of the various possible approaches toward the injury and should be used to further establish a standard protocol for the management of syndesmotic injuries.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 2021

■ Background Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction(HFpEF) is a heart failure that appears to have normal contraction function. In the case of HFpEF, no pharmacological therapy has been found to improve clinical prognosis, so it should be approached as an symptomatic treatment, therefore alternatives are needed due to concerns over adverse effects such as electrolyte imbalance caused by medication. ■ Case report A 81 year old female patient with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction(HFpEF) patient complained dyspnea. Herbal prescription Mokbanggi-tang and Oryeongsan was administered on 6th day and 8th day respectively since the symptoms started. The NYHA Classification and Chest X-ray had been evaluated during the treatment period. Until the 7th day, the patient was classified as Class II, and when discharged from the hospital on the 28th day, it gradually improved and was classified as Class II. Chest X-Ray took on 2nd day showed pleural effusion and it was aggravated until 13th day. Follow up Chest X-Ray showed improving state of pleural effusion from 20th day and gradually got better. Mokbanggi-tang treatment continued for 52 days and stopped on 58th day. After Mokbanggi-tang treatment ended, only Oryeongsan treatment was maintained. ■ Conclusion The present case report suggests that Korean-Western medicine approach with Mokbangki-tang and Oryeongsan might be effective to pleural effusion and heart failure symptoms such as poor physical activity shown in a NYHA Classification. This shows that Mokbanggi-tang and Oryeongsan can be a therapeutic option as a treatment for patient with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction(HFpEF).

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.639-652
• /
• 2022

The prolyl 3-hydroxylase family member 4 (P3H4), is associated with post-translational modification of fibrillar collagens and aberrantly activated in cancer leading to tumor progression. However, its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is still unknown. Here we reported that P3H4 was highly expressed in renal cancer tissues and significantly positive correlated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of P3H4 inhibited the proliferation, migration and metastasis of renal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and also, overexpression of it enhanced the oncogenic process. Mechanistically, P3H4 depletion decreased the levels of GDF15-MMP9 axis and repressed its downstream signaling. Further functional studies revealed that inhibition of GDF15 suppressed renal cancer cell growth and GDF15 recombinant human protein (rhGDF15) supplementation effectively rescued the inhibitory effect induced by P3H4 knockdown. Moreover, decreased levels of MMP9 caused by inhibition of P3H4-GDF15 signaling constrained the expression of PD-L1 and suppression of P3H4 accordingly promoted anti-tumor immunity via stimulating the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in syngeneic mice model. Taken together, our findings firstly demonstrated that P3H4 promotes ccRCC progression by activating GDF15-MMP9-PD-L1 axis and targeting P3H4-GDF15-MMP9 signaling pathway can be a novel strategy of controlling ccRCC malignancy.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.397-404
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcome of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the somatic soft tissue and investigate the prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two patients with soft tissue LMS (extremities and trunk) between 2001 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The local recurrence and metastasis after treatment were examined. The survival rates and prognostic factors affecting survival were investigated. Only patients followed-up more than one year were included. The mean follow-up time was 41 months (range, 7-163 months). Results: The overall survival rates at five-year and 10-year were 73.6% and 66.2%, respectively. The tumor size (p=0.018), grade (p=0.017), and local recurrence (p=0.04) affected survival. Metastases developed in 31.9% (23/72) and the median post metastasis survival was 15.6 months (range, 3-78 months). Conclusion: LMS of the soft tissue developed mainly at the lower extremity. The tumor size, grade, and local recurrence were associated with survival. Post metastatic survival was generally poor despite treatment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2022

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor and has an extremely poor prognosis. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to tumor initiation, recurrence, and resistance to therapy, and are thus a key therapeutic target. The peel of Citrus unshiu Markovich has been used in traditional medicine in East Asia to treat various diseases. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity and molecular mechanism of the chloroform extract of this natural product (CECU) in U87MG GSCs. The results show that CECU inhibited the proliferation, tumorsphere formation, and migration of U87MG GSCs by causing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis. In addition, CECU downregulated key cancer stemness regulators, including CD133, Oct4, Nanog, integrin α6, ALDH1A1, and STAT3 signaling in U87MG GSCs. Furthermore, CECU significantly suppressed in vivo tumor growth of U87MG GSCs in a chorioallantoic membrane model. Therefore, CECU can be utilized as a natural medicine for the prevention and treatment of glioblastoma.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.111-116
• /
• 2023

Background: In Indonesia, the prevalence of cleft lip and palate increased from 0.08% to 0.12% between 2013 and 2018. Children with cleft deformities typically undergo staged surgery. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had negative impacts on the healthcare sector, including the suspension of elective procedures; this has raised concerns about the safety of performing surgery and the functional consequences of delaying treatment, the latter of which is associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to report the characteristics of clefts treated by the Bandung Cleft Lip and Palate Center team during the pandemic period. Methods: This brief comparative study based on a chart review was conducted at the Bandung Cleft Lip and Palate Center. We statistically evaluated data from all patients treated between September 2018 and August 2021. Frequency analysis was performed to analyze the average number of each procedure by age before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Data from 18-month periods before (n= 460) and during (n= 423) the pandemic were compared. Cheiloplasty procedures were examined (pre-pandemic, n= 230; pandemic, n= 248); before the pandemic, 86.1% were performed according to the treatment protocol (patient < 1 year old), and this proportion non-significantly dropped to 80.6% during the pandemic (p= 0.904). Palatoplasty procedures were also compared (pre-pandemic, n= 160; pandemic, n= 139); the treatment protocol (patient 0.5-2 years old) was followed for 65.5% of procedures before the pandemic and 75.5% during the pandemic (p= 0.509). Additionally, 70 (mean age, 7.94 years) revision and other procedures were performed before the pandemic and 36 (mean age, 8.52 years) during the pandemic. Conclusion: The cleft procedures performed at the Bandung Cleft Lip and Palate Center did not significantly change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.28-31
• /
• 2014

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. Although, gemcitabine is the current standard regimen as first-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, effective regimens of second-line chemotherapy after gemcitabine failure have not been established yet. We report a case of gemcitabine refractory pancreatic cancer treated with second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX regimen. A 57-year-old-woman visited our hospital for pancreatic body mass detected by computed tomography (CT). The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy and the pathologic results after surgery demonstrated adenocarcinoma. Follow-up was performed after surgery and CT and positron emission tomography (PET) 4 months after surgery revealed multiple hepatic metastases. The patient underwent first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine and erlotinib for recurred pancreatic cancer. However, CT after 7 cycles of the chemotherapy showed the progression of multiple hepatic metastases and switch to second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX was initiated. CT after 16 cycles of the FOLFIRINOX showed the complete remission of multiple hepatic metastases. The patient was admitted for infective endocarditis with septic pneumonia 17 months after the initiation of FOLFIRINOX. However, the patients died from the progression of septic embolism and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.521-531
• /
• 2023

Transmembrane protein TMEM16A, which encodes calcium-activated chloride channel has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Overexpression of TMEM16A is associated with poor prognosis and low overall survival in multiple cancers including lung adenocarcinoma, making it a promising biomarker and therapeutic target. In this study, three structure-related sesquiterpene lactones (mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone) were extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Aucklandiae Radix and identified as novel TMEM16A inhibitors with comparable inhibitory effects. Their effects on the proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells were examined. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments showed that these sesquiterpene lactones potently inhibited recombinant TMEM16A currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximal concentration (IC50) values for three tested sesquiterpene lactones were 29.9 ± 1.1 µM, 19.7 ± 0.4 µM, and 24.5 ± 2.1 µM, while the maximal effect (E_max) values were 100.0% ± 2.8%, 85.8% ± 0.9%, and 88.3% ± 4.6%, respectively. These sesquiterpene lactones also significantly inhibited the endogenous TMEM16A currents and proliferation, and migration of LA795 lung cancer cells. These results demonstrate that mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone are novel TMEM16A inhibitors and potential candidates for lung adenocarcinoma therapy.