• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.344-349
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• 2018

Background: We report our surgical technique for nonintubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pulmonary resection and early postoperative outcomes at a single center. Methods: Between January and July 2017, 40 consecutive patients underwent nonintubated uniportal VATS pulmonary resection. Multilevel intercostal nerve block was performed using local anesthesia in all patients, and an intrathoracic vagal blockade was performed in 35 patients (87.5%). Results: Twenty-nine procedures (72.5%) were performed in patients with lung cancer (21 lobectomies, 6 segmentectomies, and 2 wedge resections), and 11 (27.5%) in patients with pulmonary metastases, benign lung disease, or pleural disease. The mean anesthesia time was 166.8 minutes, and the mean operative duration was 125.9 minutes. The mean postoperative chest tube duration was 3.2 days, and the mean hospital stay was 5.8 days. There were 3 conversions (7.5%) to intubation due to intraoperative hypoxemia and 1 conversion (2.5%) to multiportal VATS due to injury of the segmental artery. There were 7 complications (17.5%), including 3 cases of prolonged air leak, 2 cases of chylothorax, 1 case of pleural effusion, and 1 case of pneumonia. There was no in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Nonintubated uniportal VATS appears to be a feasible and valid surgical option, depending on the surgeon's experience, for appropriately selected patients.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.859-884
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• 2006

This study attempts to apply a conjoint analysis, especially using choice experiment, to quantify the economic benefits of health effects(mortality by lung cancer, asthma, acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis) on air quality improvement in Seoul and Metropolitan area. The yearly willingness to pay for the highest improvement level which is available is estimated as 38,856 won per household. The aggregated value of Seoul and Metropolitan area is measured as 252.8 billion won annually. The quantitative result provided in this study can be usefully employed in policy-making process related to air pollution. Especially, it provides a methodological framework to estimate the benefits for various alternatives in health effects.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.454-460
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• 2002

While atherosclerosis is a major killer, there is now concern that mortality from the disease will increase due to the rising incidence of type II diabetes. Because diet can potentially influence both diseases, it is important to elucidate the role of diet in the progression of atherosclerosis. In addition, the mechanisms involved in dietary-related alterations of the disease need to be defined to guide public health recommendations to reduce athero-sclerosis incidence and limiting unwanted side effects. Since diet is thought to play a role in atherosclerosis even without added complications due to type II diabetes, reducing the incidence of that metabolic disease will not be enough. While evidence is increasing that high intake of carbohydrate can lead to type II diabetes and atherosclerosis, the preponderance of existing evidence indicates that intake of specific fats as a major dietary causal factor. It has recently been hypothesized that a dietary fat link to atherosclerosis may depend partly on the activity of a transcriptional regulator, the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR). Thusfar, PPAR $\alpha$, $\beta$/$\delta$ and ${\gamma}$, have been shown to play a major role in metabolism, inflammation, and cancer. Furthermore, PPAR may regulate specific processes associated with atherosclerosis such as triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism; the reverse cholesterol transport pathway; lipid accumulation within plaques; the local inflammatory response and plaque stability. Synthetic ligands for PPAR have been developed; however, natural ligands include specific fatty acids and their metabolites. Though the role of PPAR in atherosclerosis has been reported with respect to synthetic ligands, additional studies need to be done with established and possible natural ligands. In this review, we will focus on the relation of dietary fat to PPAR alteration of atherosclerosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.5
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• pp.226-230
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• 2013

Fetal adenocarcinoma is a rare adenocarcinoma subtype of pulmonary blastoma. A 48-year-old male patient is being referred to our hospital due to progressive dyspnea. A chest X-ray showed a lung mass of unknown origin that was obstructing the right main bronchus. After relieving the airway obstruction with stent insertion via bronchoscopy, a diagnosis of fetal adenocarcinoma is being confirmed through thoracoscopic biopsy. Due to the locally advanced state of the lung cancer, it seemed to be inoperable, and concurrent chemo-radiation therapy was being administered with docetaxel. The stent was removed after improvements in the airway obstruction followed by a lung mass shrinkage. Comparing to other contexts which describe fetal adenocarcinoma as lower grade malignancy with low-associated mortality, herein, we describe a case of locally-advanced fetal adenocarcinoma (T4N3M0). This is the first documented case being treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy. The followed-up image studies represent a partial response and the patient is currently under further observations.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.520-525
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• 2018

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out ($ApoE^{-/-}$) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1612-1619
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• 2000

Objective : To retrospectively analyse the surgical outcome and efficacy of the lumbar spinal surgery in sixty to older patients who failed to conservative treatments. Methods : Between July 1990 and November 1996, the authors retrospectively investigated the medical records of 46 patients who over 60 years of age at the time of surgery. The clinical severity was assessed with Prolo's grade(economic and functional). Questionnaire was sent to each patient regarding long-term effect, satisfaction, and side effects. Results : In 46 patients, 2 patients(1 case died of lung cancer, 1 case lost in follow-up) were lost. Among 44 patients (28 men, 16 women ; mean age 64 years), 22 patients underwent partial or total laminectomy, 17 spinal fusion with instruments, 2 chemonucleolysis, 2 adhesiolysis for failed back surgery syndrome, and 1 automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy. Although postoperative complications were observed in 5 patients, they were successfully managed. No deaths were documented in the perioperative periods. The average Prolo's economic and functional grade improved from 2.98 to 3.48 and 2.81 to 3.75, respectively. Conclusion : In overall, the favorable surgical outcome was obtained. This results indicated that with appropriate preoperative selections and indications, careful intraoperative monitoring, and attentive postoperative care, the surgical treatment of eldery patients for the lumbar spinal disorders, significant improvement with acceptable levels of morbidity and mortality can be achived.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 2007

Several recent studies demonstrated the potential of bioengineering using stem cells in regenerative medicine. Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the pluripotency to differentiate into cells of mesodermal origin, i.e., bone, cartilage, adipose, and muscle cells; they, therefore, have many potential clinical applications. On the other hand, stem cells possess a self-renewal capability similar to cancer cells. For safety evaluation of MSCs, in this study, we tested tumorigenecity of canine adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (cAD-MSCs) using Balb/c-nu mice. In this study, there were no changes in mortality, clinical signs, body weights and biochemical parameters of all animals treated. In addition, there were no significant changes between control and treated groups in autopsy findings. These results indicate that cAD-MSC has no tumorigenic potential under the condition in this study.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.851-855
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• 1993

Among elevn consecutive cases having undergone Completion Pueumonectomy[CP]between 1958 and Aug. 1993 at the Dep. of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery in National Medical Center. The patient`s mean age was 43 years[range 28 yrs, to 68yrs.],& they consisted with 10 males and 1 female. The indications for CP were benign diseases in 9 cases & 2 cases of lung cancer. The mean interval between the first operation & CP was 62.3 months[from 17 days to 288 months]. The several special intraoperative procedures such as intrapericardial pulmonary vesselsdivision & suture ligation, reinforcement of bronchial stumpmargin, & applied the Fibrin glue & hemostatics. The mean intra operative bleeding was 3582ml.[1500ml. to 6500ml.] The post orerative complication were developed in 5 cases[45.5%] they were empyema with BPF in 2 cases, empyema in 2 cases, & 1 case of repiratoy insufficiency which leading to death. We concluded that the C P noted high morbidity & mortality compared with ordinary first pulmonary resectional surgery. But, it will be a challenge to improved the morbidity because of increasing trend of completion pneumonectomy in a furture time.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.916-923
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• 1999

Background: Many institutes are interested in lung metastatectomy than before because of the improved long term survival, low mortality, and low morbidity after lung metastatectomy. However, prognostic factors affecting long term survival are controversial. We attempt to analyze the prognostic factors affecting retrospectively by comparing the results of lung metastasectomy. Material and Method: Between Jan. 1990 and Dec. 1997, 74 operations were taken in 63 patients with pulmonary metastases in various primary sites. We analyzed the postoperative long term survival according to sex, cell type, laterality, disease free interval(DFI), operation, the number of metastases, and the size of the largest metastasis. Result: There were 27 male and 36 female patients. Sex did not appeared to affect survival time(p=0.849). The primary tumor was carcinoma in 32, sarcoma in 28, and others in 3. Cell type, considering carcinoma and sarcoma, did not relate to survival time(p=0.071). DFI had no influence on the outcome(p=0.902). The type of operative procedure had no influence on the outcome(p=0.556). The laterality of metastases, 47 unilateral(74.6%) and 16 bilateral(25.4%), had no influence on the outcome(p=0.843). The number of metastases excised(one, two or three, four or more) did not appear to affect survival(p=0.263). The size of largest metastasis(<=10mm, 11mm-30mm, and >30mm) did not appear to affect survival(p=0.751). Previous factors were evaluated in both the carcinoma and sarcoma patients respectively. DFI was the only significant prognostic factor in metastatic lung sarcoma(p=0.0026). Conclusion: Survival was not related to sex, cell type, laterality, DFI, operative procedure, number of metastases, nor the size of the largest metastasis. DFI was related to the survival time in sarcoma group but further study is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.11 s.268
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• pp.810-814
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• 2006

Background: Tumors of the heart are uncommon. The aim of this study is to review our clinical experience and outcome of surgical treatment of cardiac neoplasm. Material and Method: From March 1990 to December 2005, 35 patients(14 males and 21 females) with mean age of 52.4 years underwent surgical treatment of cardiac neoplasm. The clinical and pathologic data were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical treatment consisted in complete resection of the tumor in all cases but 1 patient who was left ventricular fibroma received biopsy only. Result: Thirty cases were benign and five cases were malignant tumor. Benign tumors were myxoma(29 cases) and fibroma(1 case). Five malignant tumors were osteosarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell cancer, yolk sac tumor, and unclassified myxoid spindle cell type sarcoma. There were no operative mortality in benign cases and twenty seven cases of myxoma were followed up for 8 months to 15 years without recurrence. But four patients of malignant tumor were expired within six months after operation. Conclusion: Left atrial myxomas are most common benign neoplasm. Surgical treatment is effective for the benign cardiac tumors but prognosis is poor in patients with malignant cardiac tumors.