• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.275-280
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• 2016

Background: A tobacco-free workplace policy is identified as an effective means to reduce tobacco use and protect people from second-hand smoke; however, the number of tobacco-free policies (TFP) remains very low in workplaces in Malaysia. This study explored the factors affecting support for a tobacco-free policy on two healthcare campuses in Malaysia, prior to the implementation of TFP. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 non-smokers from two healthcare training centres and two nearby colleges in Malaysia from January 2015 to April 2015. A standardized questionnaire was administered via staff and student emails. The questionnaire collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, support for a tobacco-free policy and perceived respiratory and sensory symptoms due to tobacco exposure. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the independent effects of supporting a tobacco-free campus. Results: The percentage of individuals supporting completely tobacco-free facilities was 83.2% (N=238), as opposed to 16.7% (N=48) in support of partially tobacco-free facilities. Compared to the supporters of partially tobacco-free facilities, non-smokers who supported completely tobacco-free health facilities were more likely to be female, have higher education levels, to be very concerned about the effects of other people smoking on their health and to perceive a tobacco-free policy as very important. In addition, they perceived that tobacco smoke bothered them at work by causing headaches and coughs and, in the past 4 weeks, had experienced difficulty breathing. In the multivariate model, after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and other factors, only experiencing coughs and headaches increased the odds of supporting a completely tobacco-free campus, up to 2.5- and 1.9-fold, respectively. Conclusions: Coughs and headaches due to other people smoking at work enhances support for a completely tobacco-free campus among non-smokers.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.265-270
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• 2016

Objectives: To gain information on anatomical variation in anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps in a series of clinical cases, with special focus on perforators and pedicles, for potential use in reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue defects. Materials and Methods: Eight patients who underwent microvascular reconstructive surgery with ALT free flaps after ablative surgery for oral cancer were included. The number of perforators included in cutaneous flaps, location of perforators (septocutaneous or musculocutaneous), and the course of vascular pedicles were intraoperatively investigated. Results: Four cases with a single perforator and four cases with multiple perforators were included in the ALT flap designed along the line from anterior superior iliac spine to patella. Three cases had perforators running the septum between the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscle (septocutaneous type), and five cases had perforators running in the vastus lateralis muscle (musculocutaneous type). Regarding the course of vascular pedicles, five cases were derived from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (type I), and three cases were from the transverse branch (type II). Conclusion: Anatomical variation affecting the distribution of perforators and the course of pedicles might prevent use of an ALT free flap in various reconstruction cases. However, these issues can be overcome with an understanding of anatomical variation and meticulous surgical dissection. ALT free flaps are considered reliable options for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the oral and maxillofacial area.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.123-128
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• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to determine effects of different curing salts on the quality of salamis and to assess feasibility of using NaCl-alternative salts. Methods: Various types of curing salts (KCl or $MgCl_2$) as well as NaCl (sun-dried or refined) were incorporated for processing of salamis. The proximate composition, fatty acids, nucleotide-related compounds, and free amino acids of the salamis were analyzed during 40 days of ripening. Results: The substitution of NaCl by KCl caused higher fat and ash content, but lower moisture content of the salami after 20 days of ripening (p<0.05). Compared with the sun-dried NaCl, use of KCl in salami also led to greater inosine 5'-monophosphate whereas refined NaCl had more inosine (p<0.05). KCl-added salami also had a higher C12:0, C17:1, and C20:0 than other types of salami (p<0.05). $MgCl_2-added$ salami had higher content of free amino acids compared to the other salamis (p<0.05). Conclusion: Alternative curing salts such as KCl and $MgCl_2$ could substitute NaCl in consideration of quality factor of a fermented meat product. Especially replacement of NaCl with KCl will be a suitable strategy for developing relatively low sodium salami products without compromising product quality.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2005

As the indication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has expanded to the more difficult and complicated cases, frequent restenosis is still expected after PCI. According to AHA/ACC guideline of the present time, routine use of myocardial perfusion single photon emission tomography (SPECT) is not recommended after coronary intervention, but symptom itself or exercise EKG is not enough for the detection of restensis or for the prediction of event-free survival. In high risk and/or symptomatic subjects, direct coronary angiography is required myocardial perfusion SPECT could detect restenosis in 79% of the patients if performed 2 to 9 months after PCI. Reversible perfusion decrease in the myocardial perfusion SPECT is known to be the major prognostic indicator of major adrerse cardiac event in PCI patients and also the prognosis is benign in the patients without reversible perfusion decrease. Though the cumulated specificity is 79% in the literature and optimal timing of myocardial perfusion SPECT is in controversy, SPECT is recommended even in asymptomatic patients at 3 to 9 months after PCI. Considering the evidences recently reported in the literature, myocardial perfusion SPECT is useful for risk stratification and detection of coronary artery restenosis requiring re-intervention in the asymptomatic patients after PCI.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2008

Purpose: The anterolateral thigh flap has many advantages over other conventional free flaps. But the anterolateral thigh flap has yet to enter widespread use because perforating arteries exhibit a wide range of anatomic variations and are difficult to dissect when small. The aim of this study is to identify the vascular variability of perforating arteries and pedicle in the anterolateral thigh free flap. Methods: We studied 12 cadavers and dissected 23 thighs. An anterolateral thigh flap ($12{\times}12cm$) was designed and centered at the midpoint of the line drawn from anterior superior iliac spine to the superolateral border of the patella. After we identifed the perforating arteries we dissected up to their origin from lateral circumflex femoral artery along descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. We then investigated the number and the position of perforating arteries, length and diameter of vascular pedicle and pattern of lateral circumflex femoral arterial system. Results: On average $2.3{\pm}1.1$ perforating arteries per thigh were identified. The musculocutaneous perforators were 63.1%. In those perforators five perforators were arose from transverse branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery and two were arose from rectus femoral artery. Most of the perforators were near the intermuscular septum between rectus femoris muscle and vastus lateralis muscle. The length and diameter of pedicle were $11.9{\pm}3.5cm$ and $3.1{\pm}0.8mm$ on average. Conclusion: This study will be helpful for the success in anterolateral thigh free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.575-583
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• 2013

Background The aim of lower-extremity reconstruction has focused on wound coverage and functional recovery. However, there are limitations in the use of a local flap in cases of extensive defects of the lower-extremities. Therefore, free flap is a useful option in lower-extremity reconstruction. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 49 patients (52 cases) who underwent lower-extremity reconstruction at our institution during a 10-year period. In these patients, we evaluated causes and sites of defects, types of flaps, recipient vessels, types of anastomosis, survival rate, and complications. Results There were 42 men and 10 women with a mean age of 32.7 years (range, 3-72 years). The sites of defects included the dorsum of the foot (19), pretibial area (17), ankle (7), heel (5) and other sites (4). The types of free flap included latissimus dorsi muscle flap (10), scapular fascial flap (6), anterolateral thigh flap (6), and other flaps (30). There were four cases of vascular complications, out of which two flaps survived after intervention. The overall survival of the flaps was 96.2% (50/52). There were 19 cases of other complications at recipient sites such as partial graft loss (8), partial flap necrosis (6) and infection (5). However, these complications were not notable and were resolved with skin grafts. Conclusions The free flap is an effective method of lower-extremity reconstruction. Good outcomes can be achieved with complete debridement and the selection of appropriate recipient vessels and flaps according to the recipient site.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2017

Purpose: The outcomes and toxicities of locoregionally recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with curative radiotherapy were evaluated in the modern era. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven patients receiving radical radiotherapy for locoregionally recurrent NSCLC without distant metastasis after surgery from 2004 to 2014 were reviewed. Forty-two patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), and 15 patients with radiotherapy alone. The median radiation dose was 66 Gy (range, 45 to 70 Gy). Lung function change after radiotherapy was evaluated by comparing pulmonary function tests before and at 1, 6, and 12 months after radiotherapy. Results: Median follow-up was 53.6 months (range, 12.0 to 107.5 months) among the survivors. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 54.8 months (range, 3.0 to 116.9 months) and 12.2 months (range, 0.8 to 100.2 months), respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that single locoregional recurrence focus and use of concurrent chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors for OS (p = 0.048 and p = 0.001, respectively) and PFS (p = 0.002 and p = 0.026, respectively). There was no significant change in predicted forced expiratory volume in one second after radiotherapy. Although diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide decreased significantly at 1 month after radiotherapy (p < 0.001), it recovered to pretreatment levels within 12 months. Acute grade 3 radiation pneumonitis and esophagitis were observed in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. There was no chronic complication observed in all patients. Conclusion: Salvage radiotherapy showed good survival outcomes without severe complications in postoperative locoregionally recurrent NSCLC patients. A single locoregional recurrent focus and the use of CCRT chemotherapy were associated with improved survival. CCRT should be considered as a salvage treatment in patients with good prognostic factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.448-450
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• 2007

The mortality of left ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction is high; however, subactue myocardial rupture can be diagnosed by echocardiogram and the use of the intraaortic balloon pump reduces the incidence of re-rupture. Bleeding from subacute myocardial rupture can be managed by employing fibrin glue and several patches. We report here on a case of successfully managed case of subactue left ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction with using the sutureless technique and fibrin glue.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.317-322
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• 2005

A simple and convenient method of immobilizing dextransucrase via an affinity interaction is described, along with the use of this system to synthesize leucrose. Dextransucrase was produced in sucrose-free medium by fermenting a constitutive mutant of Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F and was separated using an ultrafiltration membrane. The purified enzyme was free of dextran polymer, which previously was always found with the sucrose-induced enzyme. Therefore, it was possible to immobilize the enzyme on dextran-based resins using an affinity interaction. Sephadex G-200 was the best resin for immobilizing the dextransucrase and gave a fast flow rate through the packed column. The immobilized dextransucrase retained more than 80% of its specific activity after immobilization ($K_m\;=\;18.1\;mM$ and $k_{cat}\;=\;450\;sec^{-1}$ vs. 13.1 mM and $640\;sec^{-1}$, respectively, for the free enzyme). The immobilized dextransucrase showed improved stability over a pH range of 4.0 to 6.5 and at moderately high temperatures over $40^{\circ}C$. When immobilized dextransucrase was used to synthesize leucrose via the transfer reaction with sucrose and fructose, about 74% of the sucrose was converted into leucrose after one day, and the half-life of the enzyme activity was 15 days. Regeneration of the resin by supplementation with dextransucrase enabled the recovery of the initial activity of the system, but both the reaction and the flow rate were lower, probably owing to the accumulation of dextran inside the resin.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.43-63
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• 2013

This paper investigates the impact of free trade agreement (FTA) on the performance of Korea's foreign direct investment (FDI) firms. We use plant- and firm-level data to examine the trends of FDI patterns of Korean firms between 2002 and 2010 by dividing firms based on their sizes - large and small firms. Analyzing firms' FDI activities worldwide, we find that small firms account for large share of investment cases especially in countries where FTA became effective with Korea during our sample period. Using these facts, we estimate the changes of productivity and performance of large and small firms and their foreign affiliates before and after FTA became effective. Our results show that FTA increases productivity of small firms and their foreign affiliates after its formation. In particular, we provide evidence that productivity improvement by small firms and their foreign affiliates may result from an increase in production and capital during FTA period.