• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2023

Background: The number of patients with incidentally identified pulmonary nodules is increasing. This study attempted to confirm the usefulness and safety of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) core needle biopsy of pulmonary nodules. Methods: Data from 18 patients diagnosed with pulmonary nodules who underwent VATS core need biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 18 patients, 15 had malignancies (primary lung cancer, n=14; metastatic lung cancer, n=1), and 3 had benign nodules. Mortality and pleural metastasis did not occur during the follow-up period. Conclusion: In patients with solitary pulmonary nodules that require tissue confirmation, computed tomography-guided percutaneous cutting needle biopsy or diagnostic pulmonary resection sometimes may not be feasible choices due to the location of the solitary pulmonary nodule or the patient's impaired pulmonary function, VATS core needle biopsy may be performed in these patients as an alternative method.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.336-343
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• 2023

Lung cancer is one of the cancers with high mortality and incidence rates worldwide. Although, various anticancer research efforts are underway to completely treat cancer, the challenge against it remains in the inability to eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs), leading to difficulties in curing the cancer and resulting in recurrence. As a result, there is a growing interest in the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic molecules that can simultaneously target both cancer cells and CSCs. From this point of view, we focused on fibronectin leucine rich transmembrane protein 3 (FLRT3), one of the genes known to be present in human lung cells and the discovery from our previous cancer proteomic analysis study. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of FLRT3 as a specific therapeutic biomarker for lung cancer and Lung Cancer-derived-Stem Cells (LCSC). Also, to estimate the biological function of FLRT3 in cancer and LCSC, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was generated and showed the ability of the decreased-cell migration and cell proliferation of lung cancer through ERK signaling pathway when FLRT3 was knock-downed. In conclusion, our study is the first to report that FLRT3 has the potential as therapeutic biomarker for the treatment of lung cancer and LCSC.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.36.1-36.12
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• 2022

Dexamethasone (DEX) was the first drug shown to save lives of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients suffering from respiratory distress. A hyperactivated state of neutrophils was found in COVID-19 patients compared to non-COVID pneumonia cases. Given the beneficial effects of DEX in COVID-19 patients, we investigated the effects of DEX and of other immunomodulatory drugs vitamin D3 (VD3) and retinoic acid (RA) on neutrophil function. DEX, but not VD3 or RA, significantly inhibited all tested aspects of neutrophil function, e.g., degranulation, intracellular ROS production, CXCL8 release and NETosis. Interestingly, RA displayed the opposite effect by significantly increasing both CXCL8 and NET release by neutrophils. Taken together, these data suggest that the lower COVID-19 mortality in DEX-treated patients may in part be due to the dampening effect of DEX on the inflammatory neutrophil response, which could prevent neutrophil plugs with NETS in the lungs and other inflamed organs of patients.

• Korean journal of health promotion
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2019

Background: Obesity and deterioration of pulmonary function are known to increase all-cause mortality and morbidity associated with chronic diseases. Obesity is a known risk factor for decreasing pulmonary function; however, studies on the effect of changes in body weight or body mass index (BMI) on pulmonary function are rare. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the change in body weight or BMI and the pulmonary function test (PFT) in Koreans who underwent consecutive screening at a health promotion center. Methods: We enrolled 5,032 patients who underwent consecutive screening health check-ups at a health promotion center in 2015 and 2017. The BMI was calculated as the body weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m²) in 2015 and 2017. We analyzed the association between the change in body weight or BMI and PFT. Results: In males, PFT and changes in body weight were associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) but not with changes in BMI. In females, FEV₁/forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of vital capacity (FEF_25-75%) were significantly associated with the changes in body weight and BMI. A correlation analysis between body weight and BMI showed a negative correlation with FEF_25-75% in males. In females, FEV₁/FVC and FEF_25-75% were negatively correlated. Conclusions: We observed that the increase in body weight and BMI was significantly associated with pulmonary function. This finding suggests that careful monitoring of body weight and BMI may aid in maintaining proper pulmonary function, thereby, reducing mortality and morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.897-904
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• 1996

A preoperative prediction of postoperative pulmonary function after the pulmonary resection should be made to prevent serious complications and postoperative mortality. There are several methods to predict postoperative lung function but the 99m7c-MAA perfusion lung scan is known as simple, inexpensive and easily tolerated method for patients. We studied the accuracy of the perfusion lung scan in predicting postoperative lung function on 34 patients who received either the resection of one lobe(17 patients) or 2 lobes(2 patients) or pneumonictomy(15 patients). We performed pulmonary function test and lung scan immediately before the operation and calculated the postoperative lung function by substracting the regional lung function which will be rejected. We compared this predictive value to the observed pulmonary function which was done 20 days after the surgery. We also compared the data achieved from 12 patients ho received open thoracotomy due to intrathoracic disease that are not confined in the lung. The correlation coefficient between the predicted value and observed value of FEVI .0 was 0.423, FVC was 0.557 in the pneumonectomy group and FEVI . 0 was 0.693, FVC was 0.591 in the lobectomy group. The correlation coefnclent between the'postoperative value and preoperative value of FEVI .0 was 0.528, FVC was 0.502 in the resectional group and FEVI .0 was 0.871, FVC was 0.896 in the comparatives. We concluded that the perfusion lung scan is accllrate in predicting post-resectional pulmonary function.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.91-95
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• 2018

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH) is increasingly being recognized as a cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Recently, BPD-PH has also been shown to have additional long-term negative effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes and right ventricular function. Several significant risk factors associated with the development of BPD-PH have been identified. A screening strategy for BPD-PH is needed for infants presenting more than one risk factor. In addition, an early echocardiogram within 14 days of age may be a useful tool to identify infants at high-risk for BPD-PH. We have reviewed recent progress in research concerning clinical characteristics, presentation, and outcomes of BPD-PH and have suggested direction for future studies.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2011

The production of surf clam, Mactra veneriformis, an important fishery resource in Korea, has recently been decreasing. This study was carried out to examine effects of spawning on immune functions of this species. Total hemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase (PO) activity, phagocytic activity, neutral red retention (NRR) time and antibacterial activity were assessed. Spawned clams showed reduction in THC, PO, phagocytic activity and NRR times compared with unspawned ones. While spawning event did not elicit any change of antibacterial activity in both spawned and unspawned ones. This study indicates that spawning process decreases immune functions in the surf clams which could cause mortality increment and yield reduction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4_2
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• pp.1087-1092
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• 2003

Paraquat is a non-selective contact herbicide. When it is consumed, it may cause fatal disorders such as acute renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and progressive respiratory failure. In spite of many efforts to cure patients poisoned with paraquat, the mortality rate still remain high. In this case, after using Gamdutanghaphwangryunhaedoktang-gamibang and Cheongsangboha-tang we got positive result in hepato-renal function, but progressive respiratory failure was unstoppable.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.292-298
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• 1984

Myasthenia 8ravis is a disorder of neuromuscular function due to a reduction of available acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. Typically, the muscle weakness is worse after effort and improved by rest. In 1939, Blalock and associated reported a case of patient with myasthenia gravis who was successfully treated by thymectomy. Since then, operation has become increasingly important in the management of this disease. From 1968 to 1983, 10 cases of myasthenia gravis were operated at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery,College of Medicine, Seoul National University. 1.Among 10 cases, 4 were male and 6 were female. 2.Thymectomy was performed in 9 cases, and 1 case of malignant thymoma with deeply infiltration to adjacent structure was not resectable. 3.There was 1 operative mortality with respiratory failure. 4.During follow-up period, most of them showed symptomatic improvement, but complete remission was not noticed in any case.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.92-100
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• 1987

On rare occasions, the left atrium may become extremely large in the mitral valvular disease, showing giant left atrium. The giant left atrium frequently produce compressing effects to the adjacent organs, resulting in the postoperative problems with regard to the hemodynamic and respiratory management. We experienced 13 patients with giant left atrium combined with mitral valvular disease from Oct. 1980 through June 1986. Eleven cases underwent mitral valve replacement with left atrial plication and the other 2 cases were underwent mitral valve replacement without left atrial plication. The follow-up period was 19.3 months in average. There were remarkable postoperative improvements in the chest roentgenogram, echocardiogram, lung function test, NYHA functional class in patients who underwent plication procedure. The postoperative mortality was 9% in plication cases and 50% in non-plication cases.