• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.80-86
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• 2017

Purpose: To analyze the data of patients who suffered trauma in a cultivator accident and visited the trauma center in rural Gyeongbuk Province. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and Korean Trauma Data Bank data of 120 patients who suffered cultivator-related traumas and visited the rural regional trauma center in Gyeongbuk Province from January to December 2015. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 96 years (mean, 70 years). Ninety-one (75.8%) patients were men, and twenty-nine (24.2%) were women. Most of the patients were in their 70s (46 men [50.5%] and 13 women [44.8%]). In total, 113 patients (94.1%) arrived at the regional trauma center by ground transport and 7 (5.9%) arrived by air transport. Ninety-eight patients (81.7%) were transported to the regional trauma center directly from the scene of the accident, and twenty-two (18.3%) were transferred from another medical institute. The mean time from the accident to arrival at the emergency department was 139 minutes, and only 46 patients (38.3%) arrived within 1 hour. Twelve (10.0%) patients died, including two deaths on arrival and two post- cardiopulmonary resuscitation deaths in the emergency department. All deaths were of male cultivator operators. The causes of death were shock (hypovolemic, traumatic, or septic), subdural hematoma (open), hemothorax, rhabdomyolysis, and pneumonia. Conclusions: As the government - led regional trauma center project is on process, it would be clinically important to summarize the initial outcome of cultivator injuries, which are characteristically found more in regional trauma centers in the rural area, and have high mortality. Based on this study, in the future, it will be necessary to follow up and analyze more number of patients and to construct accurate database about trauma cases related to cultivator in Gyeongbuk region.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.305-308
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• 2007

Vasoplegic syndrome occurs in $8{\sim}10%$ of patients following cardiac surgery, and this happens in part because of inducing the inflammatory response. Nitric oxide and guanylate cyclase play an important role in this response, and this is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. For our case, we administered methylene blue (MB), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, early after performing cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with vasoplegic syndrome. The patient recovered immediately after MB administration and maintained an optimal blood pressure without the aid help of any vasopressors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.148-154
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• 2012

Background: The adequate management of mild to moderate dilatation of the ascending aorta during cardiac operations remains controversial. In this study, we present the short-term outcomes of 90 patients undergoing ascending aortic wrapping with a Dacron graft during other cardiac operations. Materials and Methods: From March 2008 to January 2011, 90 consecutive patients underwent treatment for ascending aortic aneurysm using the external wrapping technique during the concomitant procedure. The study group consisted of 49 male and 41 female patients with a mean age of $58.7{\pm}13$years. The primary cardiac surgical procedures were coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 3, aortic valve replacement in 2, and aortic valvuloplasty in 85 patients (isolated in 62 and combined with CABG or mitral valvuloplasty in 23). The ascending aorta diameter was measured using a computed tomography scan within 4 weeks after surgery, and was compared with the preoperative value. Results: The diameters of the ascending aorta wrapped with the Dacron graft were significantly reduced within a month after surgery from $46.4{\pm}4.3$ mm to $33.0{\pm}3.5$ mm (p<0.05). There was no early mortality or major surgical complication. During the mean follow-up period of $15.4{\pm}5.2$ months, there was only one late death caused by septic multiorgan failure. Conclusion: Dacron wrapping of the ascending aorta offers excellent results with very low mortality and morbidity, and it can be regarded as a safe and effective method for the treatment of moderately dilated ascending aorta in selected patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.443-449
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• 2001

Previously we reported that THI 52 inhibits tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}.$ In the present study, the effects of THI 52 on vascular reactivity ex vivo, and iNOS protein expression (rat lung) were investigated in LPS-treated rats. Treatment of THI 52 concentration-dependently reduced not only serum nitrite production but also the expression of iNOS protein in rat lung tissues. Thoracic aorta taken from LPS injected rat for 8 h ex vivo resulted in suppression of vasoconstrictor effects to phenylephrine (PE), which was restored by THI 52 (20 mg/kg) 30 min prior to LPS. When measured iNOS activity, treatment of THI 52 concentration-dependently reduced the enzyme activity in RAW 264.7 cells activated with LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}.$ Likewise, iNOS activity was significantly reduced in lung tissues taken those rats that were injected THI 52 prior to LPS injection compared with LPS injection alone. These results strongly suggest that THI 52 can suppress iNOS gene expression induced by LPS, and restore the vascular contractility to PE. Thus, THI 52, a new synthetic isoquinoline alkaloid, may be beneficial in inflammatory disorders where production of NO is excessed by iNOS expression.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.319-324
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• 2007

Purpose: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapid progressive, life-threatening disease. Many organisms have been identified for causative pathogens of necrotizing fasciitis. And necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is a matter of grace concern in Southwest seashore of Korea recently. But concrete analysis between these pathogens was not executed yet. Methods: Sixty necrotizing fasciitis patients were included in this study. We divided the patients into 2 groups: Group A was the case which Vibrio vulnificus was cultured for causative pathogen of necrotizing fasciitis, and Group B was the case of other organisms. And we analysed each group for treatment, progression and prognosis. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in total hospital stay but there was a great difference in ICU stay and progression to septic shock. Also, there was a great difference in mortality within 48 hours but there was no difference in mortality of 48 hours after hospital visit. Conclusion: This indicates that intial management of necrotizing fasciitis cased by Vibrio vulnificus is the key of treatment. So initial medical management with early surgical intervention is necessary for necrotizing fasciitis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 1971

Eighty-four cases of mitral commissurotomy were done in this department between October 1958 and September 1970. Therc wcre 54 males and 30 females. Six cases were under the age of 20 years. Prcoperativc embolization occurred in 9. 5% of the cases. consisting of 8. 3% cerebral and 1.2% peripheral embolization. Intraoperative and postoperative cmbolization occurred in 4.7% of the cases, with 1. 2% cerebral and 3.5% peripheral embolism. Two out of three postopeative embolism cases expired, one of which was caused by septic cerebral embolism due to valve vegetation nnd the other by mesenteric embolism. Atrial fibrillation was 1loted ill 43% of the case. Seventy closed mitral commissurotomy was done by left appendegeal approach with finger fracture method or Bailey's guillotine valvotome. Fourteen open mitral commissurotomy cases were done either by right side approach or median sternotomy, three of which were reoperation cases after blind mitral commissurotomy. One out of 14 cases were operated on with open mitral commissurotomy and concomitant open aortic valve bicuspidalization, This case expired due to severe serum hepatitis ten days after operation. Thirty-two per cent of valve calcification was noted during operation and one of which had marked vegetation on the valve cusps too. Operative mortality was 1.4% in blind mitral commissurotomy and 14% in open mitral commissurotomy. Over-all mortality in the entire series was 3.5%. One case among the blind commissurotomy cases expired during operation due to left inferior pulmonary vein laceration and death was caused in two open mitral commissurotomy cases by coronary artery airembolism. Three hospital death occurred in blind operation group, one due to coronary embolism, and two by hepatic failures. Three hospital death among open heart surgery cases were caused by hepatic failure in two and cerebral embolism in one cases. ln most of the survivors improved functional capacity and exercise lolerance were noted.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.436-444
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• 2016

Objectives: Despite recent efforts to prevent suffocation disasters, a number of confined space accidents still happen and each year deaths continue to occur. There have been insufficient studies on the dangers of various potential disaster sites, such as manholes, septic tanks, reactors, and other tanks according to type, characteristics, task-specific disasters, equipment specific disasters, etc. The purpose of this study was to analyze recent suffocation disasters based on place and properties. Methods: In this study, we analyzed confined space accident cases from 2005 to 2015 in Korea and grouped them by type, size, monthly occurrence, continuous service period, accident location, person-specific group, age, employment, structural work and subcontracting work. We studied examples of accidents developed in other countries. Results: (1) We reviewed confined-space accident statistics, compared legal standards and analyzed cases of suffocation accidents in the United States and Japan. (2) Using a case study report from the Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency, we specified confined-space accident statistics based on place, person-specific group, age, employment, structural work and subcontracting work. As a result we generated some precautions about confined-space accidents for the prevention of such accidents. Conclusions: Conclusions: Statistical analysis of recent suffocation disaster cases was performed to establish improvement measures, compare practices from developed countries, and develop precautionary measures accordingly. In this study, we presented the causes of disaster that occur in a confined space and proposed related preventive measures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.590-602
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was conducted to prevent asphyxiation of firefighters during confined space rescue. The specific purpose was to identify the magnitude of the problem, identify the cause of the accidents, and suggest measures to ensure safety of confined space rescues. Methods: We collected data from National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, press releases, and other sources In order to identify the current situation of asphyxiation incidents among firefighters from 1945 to 2019. In addition, an incident investigation was conducted for each case, and the processes, causes, and control measures of the incidents were described as a narrative data entry. Results: Over the past 73 years, eight incidents involving firefighter in Korea have occurred. In these incidents, five firefighters were killed, and eight were injured. The confined spaces incidents occurred were water supply tanks, wastewater treatment tanks, pickling pits, septic tanks, and more. The causes were three cases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning, one of oxygen deficiency, one of carbon monoxide poisoning, and three unclassifiable asphyxiations. The people in need were all workers in various industries. Conclusions: The number of firefighters' deaths and injuries during rescues in confined spaces was severe and the risks have not been completely eliminated. By establishing and implementing a precise incident investigation system, according control measures should be initiatedin order to prevent a recurrence of the same type of disaster and reflected in the SOP. In particular, due to the high risk of occurrence at workplaces, cooperation between fire and rescue authority and relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the KOSHA should be strengthened.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.83-92
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• 1998

Field experiment was performed from August 1996 to January 1998 to examine the applicability of constructed wetland system for wastewater treatment in rural area. The pilot plant was installed in Kon-Kuk University and the school building septic tank effluent was used as an influent to the treatment basin. Hydraulic loading rate was about 0.1 6$0.16^3/m^2$ day and theoretical detention time in the system was 1.38 days. The treatment basin was composed of sand and reed. The influent DO concentration was low and many cases close to zero, but effluent concentration was higher than the influent which implies that oxygen was supplied naturally. The average concentration of influent BOD was 126mg/L, and with average removal rate of 69 % the average effluent concentration was 4Omg/L which satisfied the effluent water quality standard for the system of interest. The average influent concentration of COD was 2Olmg/L and average effluent concentration was 75mg/L with average removal rate of 60%. The performance of BOD and COD tends to deteriorate in the low temperature, and appropriate action needs to be taken during the cold winter time for stable operation. The average influent concentration of SS was 5Omg/L, and effluent was 1 1mg/L with average removal rate of 76% which satisfied the effluent water quality standard for the system of interest. The results for the regulated components, SOD and SS, from the experiment showed that constructed wetland system can meet the effluent water quality standards. The average influent concentration of total phosphorus was 25.6mg/L and average effluent concentration was 7.8mg/L with average removal rate of 63%. Not like the performance of the above components, average nitrogen removal rate was only 11.2% which is not satisfactory. Although, nitrogen is not regulated at this moment, it can cause many environmental problems including eutrophication. Therefore, nitrogen removal efficiency should be improved for actual application. From the result of the field experiment, constructed wetland system was thought to be an appropriate alternative for wastewater treatment in rural area.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.96-105
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• 2000

Field experiment was performed from August 1996 to December 1999 to examine the performance of constructed wetland system for wastewater treatment in rural area. The constructed wetland system was installed in Konkuk University and the effluent from septic tank of school building was used as an influent to the treatment basin. The treatment basin was composed of sand bed with planted reed. From August 1996 to June 1998 the hydraulic loading rate was fixed with about 15.63cm/day and theoretical detention time was 1.38 days, and from July 1998 to December 1999 the hydraulic loading rate was about 6.25cm/day and theoretical detention time was 3.5days. It worked continuously even during winter time, and the sewage flowed without freezing even when average daily air temperature was below -1$0^{\circ}C$. Average removal rate of BOD , COD, and SS was about 70%, T-P removal rate was about 50.8% , and T-N removal rate was 23.9%. The reason for poor T-N removal might be due to high influent concentration and short retention times. At the later years BOD and COD removal rates were increased , and SS and T-P removal rates did not change significantly , but T-N removal rates were decreased. The effluent of the wetland system often effluent water quality standards for sewage treatment plant, therefore, further treatment would be required if the effluent need to be discharged to the public water. Wetland system involves relatively large land area and could be suitable for rural area. Therefore, utilization of reclaimed sewage for agricultural purpose or subsequent land treatment is recommended as a ultimate disposal of sewage for agricultural purpose or subsequent land treatment is recommended as a ultimate disposal of sewage in rural area.