• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.1-20
• /
• 2015

Objectives This study was intended to clarify the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects of gamikyejakjimo-tang herbal acupuncture (GKHA) for osteoarthritis. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA into right knee joint cavities of rats. Rats were divided into a total of 4 groups (n=8). The 4 groups were normal group, control group, positive comparison group and expeimental group. Indomethacin and GKHA were medicated for a total of 4 weeks. After that, functions of liver and kidney by AST, ALT, creatinine, BUN, DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, NO (Total Nitric oxide), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ production, weight changes in the hind legs of MIA-induced osteoarthritis rat, serum PGE2, TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, LTB4, hs-CRP, and white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes were measured. The volume of cartilage was observed by micro CT arthrography. H&E and Safranin-O staining were used to examine the injury of synovial tissue. Results 1. In the hind leg weight bearing measurement, level of weight was increased. 2. AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine were decreased. 3. The production of total white blood cell was decreased, and the production of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes were significantly decreased. 4. The production of NO, PGE2, TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, LTB4 were significantly decreased, and the production of hs-CRP was also decreased but with no significance. 5. The cartilage volume was significantly increased. 6. In H&E staining and Safranin-O staning, the cartilage cell appeared to be proliferated, and proteoglycans appeared to be increased. Conclusions Based on the results above, Gamikyejakjimo-tang Herbal Acupuncture has anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation effects, which leads to suppressing the underlying causes and the progression of osteoarthritis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.514-522
• /
• 2023

Background This is a prospective study on 118 patients who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) due to secondary lower limb lymphedema between January 2018 and October 2020 to evaluate patients' quality of life (QOL) using the Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema (LYMQoL) questionnaire. Methods The outcome measurement included the LYMQoL leg scoring system tool evaluating the function, appearance, symptom, mood, and overall outcome. In addition, correlation analysis was performed for three factors: based on International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stages, disease duration, and amount of volume reduction. Results The LYMQoL tool overall satisfaction score significantly increased at all intervals from 4.4 ± 0.2 preoperative to 6.5 ± 0.3 postoperative at 12 months (p < 0.001). Significant findings were seen for each domain scores compared preoperatively and at 12 months: function score (18.6 ± 0.5 to 15.4 ± 0.6), appearance score (17.8 ± 0.5 to 16.0 ± 0.6), symptom score (11.8 ± 0.3 to 8.9 ± 0.4), and mood score (14.5 ± 0.4 to 11.4 ± 0.5; p < 0.05). The correlation analysis between improvement of the overall score and the ISL stage (p = 0.610, correlation coefficient [r] = -0.047), disease duration (p = 0.659, r = -0.041), and amount of limb volume reduction (p = 0.454, r = -0.070) showed no statistical significance. Conclusion The QOL of secondary lower limb lymphedema patients was significantly improved after LVA regardless of the severity of disease, duration of disease, and amount of volume reduction after LVA. Understanding the patient-reported outcome measurement will help the surgeons to manage and guide the expectations of the patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2017

Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by the deficiency of glucocerebrosidase. In pediatric patients with GD, especially Type I GD, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) can reduce the hepatosplenomegaly and improve the hematologic finding and growth velocity. Herein, we report a 2-year-old girl with Type I GD presented with hepatosplenomegaly, bone pain and growth retardation. A 2 year-old-girl was referred to our hospital due to severe hepatosplenomegaly and growth retardation. She suffered from both leg pain and chronic fatigue. Simple x-ray showed widened distal long bones like that of an 'Erlenmeyer flask' which is associated with GD. The laboratory test showed anemia and thrombocytopenia. The enzyme activity was markedly reduced and the direct sequencing of the GBA gene showed the compound heterozygous mutations, p.G46E and p.L444P. As the G46E have been considered as the protective gene against neuronopathic genotype, we could assess the Type I GD in this patient. After one year of ERT, the growth velocity became 11 cm per year. Bone pain and fatigue disappeared. The volume of liver and spleen was reduced from $683cm^3$ and $703cm^3$ to $590cm^3$ and $235cm^3$, respectively. Although GD is an extremely rare disease in Korea, growth retardation and bone pain in children are the important signs which lead to early detection of GD and a simple radiologic finding is helpful to assess the GD at outpatient clinic. We highlight that the early diagnosis and early ERT is important for good growth and outcome for pediatric patients with GD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.265-276
• /
• 2000

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the clinical characteristics of 6 patients who were not improved after admitted conservative treatment in this 311 patients. Methods : We retrospectivety reviewed 311 patients of Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc which undenvent admitted conservative treatment from November 1997 to June 2000. 311 patients were diagnosed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in addition to physical examination. Other complications were not detected in 311 patients with Hemiated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc. In case that the scoliosis appeared to caused by severe pain, we included this scoliosis patient with the object of survey. Results : 1. In 6 patients who were not improved, 4 patients were large herniation and 2 patients were medium herniation. 2. In all of 6 patients, the angle of straight leg raising test was low and was not imporved unril discharge. 3. X-ray findings showed straightening in all of 6 patients, disc space narrowing in 3 of 6 patients. 4. X-ray findings showed scoliosis in 3 of 4 patients who were severe pain. 5. The onset was relarively long from 30 days to 7 years. 6. The age was relatively young from 10's to 30's. 7. The adimission date was ralatively long from 32 days to 105 days. Conclusions : In 6 patients, there were observed much volume of disc herniation, low angle of straight leg raising test, young people in an age group, straightening of x-ray finding.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1150-1162
• /
• 2011

Considering the fact that the fit for men's clothes is important for the sizing system modern ready-made pants, an analysis of obese middle-aged men is required at this period of time to determine the appropriate fit for obese men. The following research focused on 635 middle-aged obese men who had a BMI index of at least 25 and a waist circumference from the belly-button level of 34 inches or more. This research deals with the articles of circumference, thickness and other major physical changes that happen during the 30s, 40s, and 50s. According to the analysis of these body measurement articles with specific regard to age, men's height and the height of their waist seemed to decrease as their age increased. This demonstrates that as these men grow older, the waist and stomach slowly curved into a circular and flat body type due to their obesity. In this study, the first factor figure was the height and leg length. The second factor figure was the waist form. The third factor figure was the center thigh circumference. The fourth and fifth factor figures were the hip length and shape. Lastly, the sixth factor figure was the calf circumference. These 6 factor figures construct 80.57% of the volume explanation and showed 3 patterns through a cluster analysis that showed different patterns of obesity forms for waist circumferences in key figure 1, waist and thigh circumferences in key figure 2, and waist and buttocks circumferences. Therefore, it was worthwhile to consider the circumferences of the waist, buttocks and thigh according to the body type category to enhance the drafting of well-fitting pants.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.515-521
• /
• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and open lumbar microdiscectomy (OLM) for recurrent disc herniation. Methods : Fifty-four patients, who underwent surgery, either PELD (25 patients) or repeated OLM (29 patients), due to recurrent disc herniation at L4-5 level, were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Excluded were patients with sequestrated disc, calcified disc, severe neurological deficit, or instability. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiological variables were assessed using plain radiography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Results : Mean operating time and hospital stay were significantly shorter in PELD group (45.8 minutes and 0.9 day, respectively) than OLM group (73.8 minutes and 3.8 days, respectively) (p < 0.001). Complications occurred in 4% in PELD group and 10.3% in OLM group in the perioperative period. At a mean follow-up duration of 34.2 months, the mean improvements of back pain, leg pain, and functional improvement were 4.0, 5.5, and 40.9% for PELD group and 2.3, 5.1, and 45.0% for OLM group, respectively. Second recurrence occurred in 4% after PELD and 10.3% after OLM. Disc height did not change after PELD, but significantly decreased after OLM (p = 0.0001). Neither sagittal rotation angle nor volume of multifidus muscle changed significantly in both groups. Conclusion : Both PELD and repeated OLM showed favorable outcomes for recurrent disc herniation, but PELD had advantages in terms of shorter operating time, hospital stay, and disc height preservation.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.263-271
• /
• 2020

In this study, we performed a three-dimensional (3D) topology optimization of a fixed offshore structure to enhance its structural stiffness. The proposed topology optimization is based on the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method, where a volume constraint is applied to utilize an equivalent amount of material as that used for the rule-based scantling design. To investigate the effects of the main legs of the fixed offshore structure on its structural stiffness, the leg region is selectively considered in the design domain of the topology optimization problem. The obtained optimal designs and the rule-based scantling design of the structure are manufactured by 3D metal printing technology to experimentally validate the topology optimization. The behaviors under compressive loading of the obtained optimal designs are compared with those of the rule-based scantling design using a universal testing machine (UTM). Based on the structural experiments, we concluded that by employing the topology optimization method, the structural stiffness of the structure was enhanced compared to that of the rule-based scantling design for an equal amount of the fabrication material. Furthermore, by effectively combining the topology optimization and rule-based scantling methods, we succeeded in enhancing the structural stiffness and improving the breaking load of the fixed offshore structure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.91-106
• /
• 1996

This paper deals with on the efficiency questions of the left-turn prohibit at an isolated intersection and a corridor with 5-phase signal system. Its objectives are three-fold ; (1) to analyze the efficiency of the left-turn prohibit with the use of an imaginary network, (2) to evaluate various factors under consideration in decision making on the left-turn prohibit, (3) to provide a framework for estimating and evaluating overall impacts of the left-turn prohibit in traffic network. the major findings using an imaginary network and computer packages such as MINUTP, TRANSYT-7F and STATGRAPH are followings. First, left-turn prohibit reduces cycle length by 33 seconds and delay time per vehicle by 36 seconds at an isolated intersection, and cycle length by 31 seconds and delay time per veicle by 43 seconds along a corridor. Second, total vehicle mile of travel and total travel time at an isolated intersection seem up to increase 38.85 miles(57.36km), 14.4 hour on the average, Regarding to a corridor, total vehicle mile of travel is increased by 50.14 miles(80.22km), but total travel time is decreased by129.9 hours. Third, the efficiency of left-turn prohibit are affected the following eight factors including left-turn volume(veh/hr) and ratio(%), average delay time per vehicle(sec/veh) and others. Finally, several simple and multiple regression models to evaluate the impacts on the left-turn prohibit are formulated from the above eight factors. It can be expected that these models will take an important role in decision-making of left-turn prohibit.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to examine the toxicity on the long term procedure of Aconitum ciliare Decaisne pharmacopuncture(ADP) solution. Methods : To evaluate the long term toxicity of 3 different repeated doses, 60, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks were injected into BALB/c mice, respectively. The ADP solution was injected into near ST36 of the right leg and normal saline of the same volume was used for the vehicle control group. To evaluate the toxicity of 60, 150, and 300 mg/kg of repeated doses for 13 weeks, toxic symptoms, weight measurement, hematological test, blood biochemical test, visual examination and weight measurement of major organs, and histopathological test were conducted. Results : No significant changes in toxic symptoms, weight measurement, hematological test, blood biochemical test, visual examination and weight measurement of major organs, and histopathological test were observed in different doses of ADP solution treated groups compared to vehicle control group. Conclusions : As a result, repeated dose at a concentration of 300 mg/kg or less is considered to be not harmful for clinical treatment.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.178-183
• /
• 2007

Neutrons are high LET (linear energy transfer) radiation and cause more damage to the target cells than x-rays or gamma rays. The damage from neutrons is generally considered fatal to a cell and neutrons have a greater tendency to cause cell death through direct interaction on DNA. We performed experiments to measure growth delay ratio and oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) in mouse model system. We inoculated EMT-6 cells to the right hind leg of BALB-c mouse and X-rays and neutron beams were given when the average volume of tumors reached $200-300mm^3$. We irradiated 0, 11, 15.4 Gy of X-ray and 0, 5, 7 Gy of fast neutron beam at normoxic and hypoxic condition. The volume of tumors was measured 3 times per week. In x-ray experiment, growth delay ratio was 1.34 with 11 Gy and 1.33 with 15.4 Gy in normoxic condition compared to in hypoxic condition, respectively. In neutron experiment, growth delay ratio was 0.94 with 5 Gy and 0.98 with 7 Gy, respectively. The OER of neutron beam was 0.97. The neutron beam was more effective than X-ray in the control of hypoxic tumors.