• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2005

Purpose: Authors have performed free tissue transplantation in the upper and lower extremities with sensory flaps and evaluated the sensory function recovery. Materials and methods: Between 1992 through 2004, sensory free flap articles published in the journal of the Korean microsurgical society, were reviewed and recovery of sensory function was assessed by static two-point discrimination test. Results: Static two point discrimination test showed average 6.7 mm in the thumb, average 12 mm in the hand and 7 cm of the dorsalis pedis flap, 20.5 mm of the lateral arm flap and over 8 cm of the forearm flap in the foot. Conclusion: Sensory flaps provide the protective and useful coverage in the upper and lower extremities and have benefit for activities for daily life in free tissue transferred patients.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2005

Virtual reality (VR) simulators have been extended to transfer knowledge and education, and demands for exhibition systems for science education and cultural experiences has also increased. Existing VR simulators, which are based on the dynamics equations of motion, cannot easily be adapted to changes in simulation contents. In order to effectively transfer knowledge and maintain interests through educational applications, an experiential system that has multi-sensory effects as well as motion effects is required. In this study, we designed and implemented a motion generation that is tailored to experiential exhibition systems and multi-sensory VR effects. Both the sense of motion which is generated from the movement of the viewpoint of the visual image, and motion effects which are constructed in advance, are applied to motion simulation. Motion effects which occur during interaction between the user and the exhibition system can be easily added. Various sensory cues that are appropriate to the exhibition system are also considered.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.53-59
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• 2002

The surface fibers on the fabric is one of decisive factors which affects human sensory evaluation as well as heat and moisture transfer characteristics. In this study the length and distribution of surface fibers that are extruded from the fabric surface of the wool/wool blend fabrics (14 wool fabrics and 10 wool blend fabrics) and its contribution to subjective sensory evaluation were investigated. In order to quantify the length and distribution of surface fibers, image analysis and wavelet transform technique were introduced. Instant warm-cool feeling of touch, Q$\_$max/, and contact area were also measured and related to the quantified surface fibers. To figure out the effect of surface characteristics on sensory evaluation, human sensory responses to three adjectives which represent surface characteristics and warm-cool feeling of touch were obtained and analyzed. The relationship between the quantified surface fibers assessed by wavelet energy and both warm-cool reeling of touch, Qmax, and human sensory response were discussed.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2001

Purpose : The sensory radial forearm flap is used to recover the soft tissue defect of hand and foot. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results after sensory reconstruction using sensate radial forearm flaps. Materials and Methods : There were 9 cases of 8 patients (6 males and 2 females). The 7 cases of 6 patients were donated to foot, the 2 cases of 2 patients to hand. At operation, the ages of them ranged from 18 to 63 years (mean: 37.9 years). Sensory evaluation was performed using percentage(%) of responding area to the pinprick test and the static and moving two-point discrimination test (s-2PD and m-2PD). Results : The mean percentage of responding area to the pin prick test was 48.5%. The mean s-2PD and m-2PD of recipient hands were 37.2 mm and 28.8 mm. The mean s-2PD and m-2PD of recipient feet were 46.7 mm and 45.0 mm. The mean s-2PD and m-2PD of controls were 23.5 mm and 19.7 mm. Conclusion : All the recipients were less sensitive than the control, but the recipient hands more sensitive than the recipient feet. Although the small numbers were studied, the results suggested that the recovery of sensation in the innervated flaps was influenced by the recipient nerve. So the donor nerve seems to be selected as more sensitive and more distal nerve of donor site for better outcome.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2002.06c
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• pp.139-142
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• 2002

The brain of the human is the best model for the artificial intelligence and is studied by many natural, medical scientists and engineers. In the engineering department, the brain model becomes a main subject in the area of development of a system that can represent and think like human. In this paper, we approach and define the function of the brain biologically and especially, make a model for the function of cerebral cortex, known as a part that performs behavior inference and decision for sensitive information from the thalamus. Therefore, we try to make a model for the transfer process of the brain. The brain takes the sensory information from sensory organ, proceeds behavior inference and decision and finally, commands behavior to the motor nerves. We use the modular neural network in this model. finally, we would like to design the intelligent system that can sense, recognize, think and decide like the brain by learning the information process in the brain with the modular neural network.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the neurologic abnormalities in the donor limb after contralateral C7 transfer in brachial plexus injury. Materials and Methods : From August 1996 to December 1999, five patients with brachial plexus injury were treated with contralateral C7 nerve root transfer. The average follow up was 16 months(range, 5 to 36 months). The clinical findings were assessed using the British Medical Research Council Grading System, and also measured grip power, pinch power of hand and two point discrimination of the fingers. Results : We had no difference in shoulder abduction and elbow flexion after contralateral C7 transfer. The grip and pinch strength were recovered within 4weeks. Sensory loss occurred in all patients and was noted to be more severe on index and middle finger. Four patients recovered within 2 weeks, one continued till one year. Subjective numbness and pain on percussion minimally persisted until last follow-up. Conclusion : The division of the C7 nerve root resulted in minimal and temporary functional deficit in the donor upper limb.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 1999

In general, amputation has been performed in the treatment of diabetic foot which doesn't respond to the conservative treatment. We have evaluated the existence of post-operative infection, the morbidity of donor site, the degree of recovery of sensation, weight bearing ambulation and recurrence in the 6 cases(5 patients) of diabetic foot patients among the 230 cases of free flap transfer done in our department. In all cases of free flap transfer to diabetic foot, 100% of survival rate was shown. The sensory recovery was more than average of 40% of the area of the transferred flap, and two points discrimination was shown average of 5cm as a result. In all cases, no evidence of post-operative infection was discovered and the weight bearing gradually became easier, and at the average of 5 months after operation, the full weight bearing ambulation became possible. If the infection of diabetic foot and the level of blood sugar could be controlled successfully, the free flap transfer could be considered one of the treatment option to avoid amputation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 1999

The skin on the dorsum of the foot is a source of the reliable thin and sensory cutaneous free tissue transplantation with or without tendon, bone and joint. A composite flap with attached vascularized tendon grafts for the combined loss of skin and tendon on the dorsum of the hand and foot offers an immediate one stage solution to this problem. The flap provides a very durable innervated tissue cover for the heel of the foot and the dorsum of the hand and an osteocutaneous transfer combined with the second metatarsal. The major dorsalis pedis artery is constant in size, but the first dorsal metatarsal artery is variable in size and location. The dorsal surface of the foot receives sensory innervation through the superficial peroneal nerve and the first web through the deep peroneal nerve. Authors had performed 5 dorsalis pedis free flap transplantation in the foot and hand at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital from August 1993 through August 1997 and followed up for the period of between 19 and 67 months until March 1999. The results were as follows 1. 5 cases dorsalis pedis free flap transfer to the foot(4 cases) and the hand(1 case) were performed and the recipient was foot dorsum and heel 2 cases each and hand dorsum 1 case. 2 All of 5 cases(100%) were survived from free flap transfer and recipient artery was dorsalis pedis artery(2 cases), anterior tibial artery(1 case), posterior tibial artery(1 case) and ulnar artery(1 case) and recipient veins were 2 in number except in the hand. 3. Long term follow up of the exterior and maceration was good and sensory recovery was poor 4. Donor site was covered with full thickness skin graft obtained from one or both inguinal areas at postoperative 3rd week and skin graft was taken good and no morbidity was showed.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1997

The methods of clinical applications of the foot as a free-flap donor site includes microvascular toe-to-finger transfer, free neurovascular flap transfer, first web space flap transfer, and osteocutaneous free flap transfer. We have evaluated the results of treatment for 35 patients to be undergone a microvascular reconstructive procedure with the foot as a donor site from January 1982 to June 1996. The performed operations were 16 cases of thumb reconstruction with wrap around procedure, 3 cases of tenocutaneous flap transfer, 10 cases of dorsalis pedis flap transfer, 2 cases of first web space free flap and 4 cases of toe-to-finger transfer. The follow up study was 69 months in average. Regarding to the various donor sites, morbidity was divided into five different categories: Cosmesis, Functional loss, Sensory loss, Wound complication, and Pain. According to the results of examination(35 patients), the results was excellent(25), good(9), fair(1), and poor(0). Among the categories, morbidity was higher at cosmesis. The patients under 50 years were better outcome. Among the operative methods from the foot as a donor site, thumb reconstruction with wrap around procedure showed poorest outcomes. So, We conclude that the foot as a free flap donor site is a good source for the microvascular reconstructive surgery. But, Preoperative donor site evaluation, adequate operative technique and post operative management are essential to decrease the morbidity of donor site.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.118-118
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• 2002

Programmed cell death (PCD) is thought as a well-controlled process by which unwanted cells are selectively eliminated. During the last decade many researches have elucidated molecules and their interactions involved in cell death by using largely in vitro induction of cell death or survival signals in a more defined manner, While these critical information and novel findings provide us with clearer understanding of mechanisms underlying cell death, it does by no means explain how PCD occurs and which cells or tissues are affected during normal embryonic development in vivo. In this study, we used zebrafish to examine whether the PCD is occurring selectively or randomly in developing embryos by whole mount in situ TUNEL analysis with specific markers for neural cells. The result revealed that the degree and distribution of TUNEL staining varied considerably throughout gastrulation stage, and there was also a number of TUNEL-negative embryos. Most of TUNEL-positive cells were scattered randomly throughout the blastoderm. During the gastrulation stage about 75 % of the embryos analyzed exhibited more than 5 TUNEL-positive cells. As the dorsal epiblast begins to thicken rather abruptly near the end of gastrulation, TUNEL-positive cells were mainly located along the dorsal side. Although there were some variations in TUNEL staining during segmentation and pharyngeal stages, TUNEL staining continued to be localized to the central nervous system, and was also detected in the sensory organs, trigeminal ganglions, and the primary sensory neurons. High levels of the cell death in developing brain between 20-somite and prim-6 stages are thought to play a role in the morphogenesis and organization of the brain. At prim-16 stage, cell death is considerably reduced in the brain region. Dying cells are mainly localized to the prospective brain region where ectodermal cells are about to initiate neurogenesis. As development progressed, high levels and more reproducible patterns of cell death were observed in the developing nervous system. Intensive TUNEL staining was restricted to the trigeminal ganglions, the primary sensory neurons, and sensory organs, such as olfactory pits and otic vesicles. Thus, PCD patterning in zebrafish embryos occurs randomly at early stages and becomes restricted to certain region of the embryos. The spatio-temporal pattern of PCD during the early embryonic development in zebrafish will provide basic information for further studies to elucidate genes involved in. regulation of PCD largely unknown in vivo during vertebrate embryogenesis.