• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.6
• /
• pp.625-630
• /
• 2006

Background: Pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients is the result of a direct effect of tobacco smoke on the intrapulmonary vessels with the abnormal production of the mediators that control vasoconstriction, vasodilatation, and vascular cell proliferation, which ultimately lead to aberrant vascular remodeling and physiology. COPD patients are prone to the developmint of an acute and chronic thromboembolism with an elevation of the plasma procoagulant and fibrinolytic markers However, the roles of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system on the right ventricular dysfunction in COPD patients are not well defined. We examined the alteration of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system in COPD patients according to the right ventricular function measured using cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Methods: The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was measured using cardiac MDCT in 26 patients who were diagnosed with COPD according to the definition of the GOLD guideline. The plasma level of thrombin antithrombin (TAT) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were measured using an enzyme linked immunoassay. Results: The plasma TAT was markedly elevated in COPD patients ($10.5{\pm}19.8{\mu}g/L$) compared with those of the control ($3.4{\pm}2.5{\mu}g/L$) (p<0.01). However, the plasma PAI-1 in COPD patients ($29.6{\pm}20.7ng/mL$) was similar to that in the controls. The plasma TAT showed a significant inverse relationship with the RVEF measured by the cardiac MDCT in COPD patients (r=-0.645, p<0.01). However, the plasma PAI-1 did not show a relationship with the RVEF (r=0.022, p=0.92). Conclusion: These results suggest that the coagulation system in COPD patients is markedly activated, and that the plasma level of TAT might be a marker of a right ventricular dysfunction in COPD patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.369-378
• /
• 2003

Statement of Problem: Recently, resin cements have become more widely used and have been accepted as prominent luting cements. Current resin cements exhibit less microleakage than conventional luting cements. However, the constant contact with water and exposure to occlusal forces increase microleakage even in resin cements inevitably. Most bonding resins have been modified to contain a hydrophilic resin such as 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) to overcome some of the problems associated with the hydrophobic nature of bonding resins. By virtue of these modifications, bonding resins absorb a significant amount of water, and there may also be significant stresses at bonding interfaces, which may adversely affect the longevity of restorations. Therefore the reinforcement of water stability of resin cement is indispensable in future study. Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the influence of water retention on microleakage of two resin cements over the period of 6 months. Materials and Methods: 32 extracted human teeth were used to test the microleakage of a single full veneer crown. Two resin cements with different components and adhesive properties - Panavia F (Kuraray Co., Osaka, Japan) and Super-Bond C&B (Sun Medical Co., Kyoto, Japan)- were investigated. The storage medium was the physiological saline solution changed every week for 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. One group was tested after storage for 1 day. At the end of the each storage period, all specimens were exposed to thermocycling from $5^{\circ}C$ to $55^{\circ}C$ of 500 cycles and chewing simulation of 50,000 cycles, and then stained with 50% silver nitrate solution. The linear penetration of microleakage was measured using a stereoscopic microscope at ${\times}40$ magnification and a digital traveling micrometer with an accuracy of ${\pm}3{\mu}m$. Values were analyzed using two-way ANOVA test, Duncan's multiple range tests (DMRT). Results : Statistically significant difference of microleakage was shown in the 3-month group compared with the1-day or 1-month group in both systems (p<0.05) and there were statistically significant differences in microleakage between the 3-month group and the 6-month group in both systems (p<0.05). The two systems showed different tendency in the course of increased microleakage during 3 months. In Panavia F, microleakage increased slowly throughout the periods. In Super-Bond C&B, there was no significant increase of microleakage for 1 month, but there was statistically significant increase of microleakage for the next 2 months. For the mean microleakage for each period, in the 3-month group, microleakage of Super-Bond C&B was significantly greater than that of Panavia F. On the other hand, in the 6-month group, microleakage of Panavia F was significantly greater than that of Super-Bond C&B (p<0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, water retention of two different bonding systems influence microleakage of resin cements. Further studies with the longer observation periods in viro are required in order to investigate water stability and the bonding durability of the resin cement. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Microleakage at the Cement-tooth interfaces did not necessarily result in the failure of the crowns. But it is considered to be a major factor influening the longerity of restorations. Further clinical approaches for decreasing the amount of microleakage are required.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.247
• /
• pp.152-156
• /
• 2005

Background: Occlusive complications after arterial revascularization are difficult to treat and have high recurrence rate. This study was performed to establish an effective treatment modality and to evaluate the factors affecting the occlusive complications by analysis of clinical data. Material and Method: During the period of 5 years. 33 patients (55 reoperations) were studied at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital following 173 arterial revascularization surgeries. The clinical characteristics, operating methods, the time intervals of reoperation, used graft, and the results of treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Result: All the patients were men except one and the mean age was 63.5 years old. The mean time internal from first operation to reoperation was 11.9 months. The cause of arterial occlusive diseases were 28 atherosclerosis and 5 Burger's diseases, Associated diseases were Hypertension $(57.6\%)$, Diabetes mellitus $(33.3\%)$, heart failure $(18.2\%)$, and so on. The mean rate of reoperation was 1.67 times and the most common type of first operation was femoro-popliteal bypass grafting $(57.6\%)$. The graft that used revascularization surgery were 25 cases of PTFE and 6 case were Dacron. There was no statistical difference between two groups. The kinds of reoperations were thrombectomy in 20 cases, angioplasty 18 cases, re-bypass surgery in 13 cases, and lumbar sympathectomy in 4 cases. The results of reoperation were 15 cases of functional recovery, 7 cases of limb salvage, 5 cases of above-knee amputation. 3 cases of below-knee amputation and 3 deaths. Conclusion: The main cause of occlusive complications are occlusion of inflow or outflow artery. Treatments were different according to the first operation methods and graft used. The most frequent time of reoperation was within one year after the first operation. We believe that graft surveillance especially during the first year is very important factor in observing the patient. We can look forward to improving limb salvage rate to perform additional treatment such as radiological interventions and lumbar sympathectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.260
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2006

Background: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) provides passive support of gas exchange and perfusion, allowing the use of other methods of care for organ recovery, and saves lives of patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure in a wide variety of clinical settings with a minimal risk of bleeding and need for chest re~ exploration. We summarized a single center's experiences with PCPS in patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest due to the ischemic heart disease. Material and Method: Among the 20 consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest from May 1999 to June 2005, Biopump (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, MN) was used in 7 patients and the self-priming, heparin-coated circuit of EBS (Terumo, Japan) was applied to remaining 13 patients. Most of cannulations were performed percutaneously via femoral arteries and veins. The long venous cannulas of DLP (Medtronic inc. Minneapolis, MN) or the RMI (Edwards's lifescience LLC, Irvine, CA) were used with the arterial cannulae from 17 Fr to 21 Fr and the venous cannula from 21 Fr to 28 Fr. Result: The 20 consecutive patients who were severely compromised and received PCPS for the purpose of resuscitation were comprised of 13 cardiac arrests and 7 cardiogenic shocks in which by-pass surgery was performed in 11 patients and 9 ongoing PCls under the cardiopulmonary support. The mean support time on the PCPS was 38$\pm$42 hours. Of the 20 patients implanted with PCPS, 11 patients ($55\%$) have had the PCPS removed successfully; overall, 8 of these patients ($40\%$) were discharged from the hospital in an average surviving time for 27$\pm$17 days after removing the PCPS and survived well with 31$\pm$30 months of follow-up after the procedure. Conclusion: The use of PCPS appears to provide the hemodynamic restoration, allowing the survival of patients in cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock who would otherwise not survive, and patients receiving PCPS had a relatively long-term survival.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.763-769
• /
• 2009

Background: In the majority of cases, sternal instability and wound infection concomitantly present after a cardiac operation following conventional median sternotomy, and these complications have a major influence on the postoperative course. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the different sternal wiring techniques of sternal infection. Material and Method: Between April 2004 and December 2008, 157 adult patients underwent cardiac in group A, whereas 71 patients who had undergone modified Robicsek sternal wiring were included in group B. The incidences of sternal wound complications in the two groups were assessed. Result: The mean age of the group B patients was older than that of the group A patients ($61{\pm}10$ years vs $57{\pm}13$ years). The incidence of preoperative left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction <30%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure requiring dialysis and diabetes mellitus were significantly higher in Group B, whereas the other perioperative risk factors for infection were not significantly different between the two groups. Two patients in group A experienced superficial wound infection, whereas 4 patients in group B displayed superficial wound infection, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.255). Yet poststernotomy deep sternal wound infection appeared in 6 patients of group A, whereas none of the patients in group B displayed this malady. Conclusion: The modified Robicsek sternal wiring technique showed greater sternal stability even for the patient with a high risk for infection, and the technique caused a lower incidence of deep sternal wound infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.725-731
• /
• 2009

Background: Lobectomy and more extended anatomic resection are regarded as standard treatment for stage Ia non-small cell lung cancer, but approximately 15~40% of patients suffer from treatment failures such as cancer recurrence or death. The authors analyzed types and causes of treatment failures in surgically treated cases of stage Ia non small cell lung cancer. Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 156 patients who had undergone complete resection for stage Ia NSCLC between Jan 1992 and Aug 2005. Patients were divided into two different treatment failure groups: cancer-related deaths and non-cancer-related deaths. Risk factors were analyzed in each group by the Kaplan-Meyer survival method and the Cox proportional hazard model. Result: Among the 156 patients, 93 were males; the mean age was 61. The median follow-up period was 33.8 months. The 5 year survival rate was 87.6%. Microscopic lympho-vascular permeation was reported in 10 patients. Recurrence was reported in 19 patients and 12 patients died due to recurrent lung cancer. Noncancer related deaths occurred in 16 patients. Risk factors for cancer recurrence and cancer related death were microscopic lympho-vascular permeation (HR=6.81, p=0.007, HR=7.81, p<0.001); for non-cancer related death, risk factors were pneumonectomy (HR=25.92, p=0.001) and postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (HR=29.67, p=0.002). Conclusion: After complete resection of stage Ia non small cell lung cancer patients, mortality includes not only cancer related deaths but also cancer unrelated deaths. Adjuvant chemotherapy is advised for patients who show microscopic lympho-vascular permeation, which is a risk factor for recurrence and for cancer related death. Patients who had pneumonectomy or who suffered from cardiac or respiratory complications need meticulous care in order to reduce comorbidity-induced death.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.685-695
• /
• 2009

Background: Calcification is the most frequent cause of clinical failure of bioprosthetic tissues that are fabricated from Glutaraldehyde (GA)-fixed porcine valve or bovine pericardium. We recently used a multi-factorial approach of employing different mechanisms to investigate how to reduce the calcification of bioprosthetic tissues. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the synchronized synergism using ethanol, L-lysine and $NaBH_4$ in glutaraldehyde treated porcine pericardium from the standpoint of calcification and tissue elasticity. Material and Method: Porcine pericardium was fixed with 0.625% GA (commercial fixation). An interim step of ethanol (80%; 1 day at room temperature) or L-lysine (0.1 M; 2 days at $37^{\circ}C$) or $NaBH_4$ (0.1 M; 2 days at room temperature) was followed by completion of the GA fixation (2 days at $4^{\circ}C$ and 7 days at room temperature). The tensile strength and thickness of the samples were measured. The treated pericardiums were implanted subcutaneously into three-week old Sprague-Dawley rats for 8 weeks. The calcium content was assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and the histology of the samples. Result: The amount of calcium in the pericardium pretreated with ethanol (13.6${\pm}$10.0 ug/mg, p=0.008), L-lysine (15.3${\pm}$1.0 ug/mg, p=0.002) and both (16.1${\pm}$11.1 ug/mg, p=0.012) was significantly reduced compared with the control (51.2${\pm}$8.5 ug/mg). However, $NaBH_4$ pretreatment (65.7${\pm}$61.8 ug/mg, p=0.653) and combined pretreatment that including ethanol, L-lysine and $NaBH_4$ (92.9${\pm}$58.3 ug/mg, p=0.288) were not significantly different from the controls(51.2${\pm}$8.5 ug/mg). Both the combined pretreatment using ethanol and L-lysine (7.60${\pm}$1.55, p=0.76) and the combined pretreatment that included ethanol, L-lysine and $NaBH_4$ (7.47${\pm}$1.85, p=0.33) increased the tensile strength/thickness ratio compared with that of the controls (4.75${\pm}$1.88). Conclusion: The combined pretreatment using ethanol and L-lysine seemed to decrease the calcification of porcine pericardium fixed with glutaraldehyde, as compared to single pretreatment, and it increase the tissue elasticity, but to the degree that showed synchronized synergism. $NaBH_4$ pretreatment seemed to increase the calcification of porcine pericardium, irrespective of whether single or combined pretreatment was used.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.213-225
• /
• 1989

An analysis has been made of two hundred seven patients who were treated at the department of Radiation Oncology of Korea University Hospital for lung cancer from January 1981 through December 1986. There were 137 patients of nonsmall cell carcinoma (137/207, 66%), 26 patients of small cell carcinoma (26/207, 12.5%) and 44 patients of unproven histology. By aims of treatment, there were 104 patients (104/207, 50%) treated for cure, 89 patients (89/207, 42.9%) for palliation and 14 patients treated postoperatively. In 22 out of 207 patients, chemotherapy was done with radiotherapy, 12 of which were patients with small cell carcinoma. Stage II patients were 49 (49/207, 23.6%), stage III patients were 157 (157/207, 75.8%) and one patient had an occult cancer The tumor was initial Iy measured by CAT scan and chest X-rays in the 165 (165/207, 79.7%) patients, among which 117 patients had tumor diameter more than 5cm and 48 patients less than 5cm. Radiation therapy was given with Cobalt 60 teletherapy unit and the treatment volume encompassed primary tumor and the mediastinum. For curative aim, daily tumor dose of 180 cGy was given up to the range of 5,400~6,120cGy/30~34F/6~7 week period and for palliative aim, daily tumor dose of 300 cGy was given up to the range of 3,600~4,500 cGy/12~15F/2~3 week period. Postoperatively, mediastinum was treated for total dose of 5,040 cGy/28F/5.5 week period. 123 patients (123/207, 59%) were followed up after completion of radiotherapy for 14 months to 7 years. Local tumor response to the irradiation was measured by chest X-ray taken at one month follow up and was evaluated for response rate, if they were regressed more than 50% or less than 50% of the initial tumor size. The treatment results were as follows; 1. The median survival time was 8.5 months and survival rates for 1 year, 2 year and 5 year was 25%, 3.5% and 1% of nonsmall cell lung ca of 74 evaluable patients. 2. More than 50% of local tumor response rate was obtained in about half of overall cases; 90.5% for small cell ca, 50% for squamous cell ca, 25% for adenoca and 57% for large cell ca. 3. Response rate more than 50% was seen in the 50% of the patient group with tumor diameter more than 5cm and in the 55% of those with tumor diameter less than 5cm. 4. By total raidation dose given, patient group which was given 5,400~6,120 cGy equivalent dose or higher showed tumor response rate more than 50% in 53% of the patients, whereas the group with dose less than 5,400cGy equivalent, in 25% of the patients. 5. Survival rate for 6 month, 1 year and 2 year was compared between the group of local tumor response rate more than 50% vs. group with response rate less than 50%; 74% vs. 43%, 33% vs, 23%, 10% vs. 1%, respectively. 6. Local failure was seen in 21%(44/207) of the patients, which occured mostly within 15 months after completion of radiation therapy. Distant metastases were seen in 49.7%(103/207) of the patients, of which 43 cases were found before initiation of radiotherapy. The most common metastatic sites were bone and brain. In this sutdy, 1 year,2 year and S year survival rates were somewhat poor compared to the other studies. It mainly seems to be due to the poor general status of the patients and the far-advanced stage of the disease. In nonsmall cell cancer patients who had limited local disease and had small primary tumor size, we observed better local response. In addition, dose higher than 6,000 cGy group showed better tumor control than lower dose group. Survival rate was better for the local control group. For imporvement of local control of the lung cancer and hence, the survival of the patients with lung cancer, proper radical radiotherapy with high dose for localized disease is needed. New modality of treatment such as high LET beam in radiation therapy or drugs for the advanced disease as well as early diagnosis is also needed.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical stability and function after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction using fresh-frozen tibialis tendon allograft. Materials and Methods: Of the patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using tibialis tendon allograft from July 2002 to June 2003, thirty-one patients could be evaluated and the mean follow-up period was 19 months. Evaluations included were Lysholm knee score, 2000 International knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee score, Lachman test, pivot shift test, KT-1000 arthrometer measurement and 2000 IKDC knee examination. Results: The mean Lysholm score was 88. Twenty-eight patients (90.3%) were good or exellent for the measured parameters. Twenty-seven patients(87.1%) was over 70 in IKDC subjective knee score. Thirty patients (96.8%) had 1+ firm end or negative Lachman test. 27 patients (87.1%) had a negative pivot shift. Thirty patients (96.8%) had less than 5mm difference of maximal manual difference by KT-1000 arthrometer. Twenty -nine patients (93.5%) were nearly normal or normal grade by 2000 IKDC knee examination. Complications were 1 case of failure and 1 case of infection. Conclusion: ACL reconstruction with the double-stranded fresh-frozen tibialis tendon allograft resulted in a reliable and predictable outcome after short-term follow-up.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.19-32
• /
• 2018

During the process of gas hydrate extraction in the deep seabed, fine diatom particle migration occurs, which causes the seabed slope failure and the productivity deterioration of the gas hydrate. Therefore, a study related with the changes of the ground characteristics due to the fine particle migration is required. The objective of this study is to investigate the change of hydraulic properties of sand due to the migration of fine diatom particle in sandy soils. In order to simulate the sediments of the Ulleung basin gas hydrate in the East Sea, fifteen sand-diatom mixtures that have different diatom volume fractions (DVF) are prepared. During the falling head permeability tests, the coefficients of permeability are measured according to the DVF. In addition, for the simulation of the fine diatom particle migration, constant head permeability tests are conducted by applying the hydraulic pressures of 3 kPa, 6kPa, and 9 kPa on a specimen composed of two layers: a specimen with 50% DVF in upper layer and a specimen with 0% DVF in lower layer. Furthermore, the coefficient of permeability and the electrical resistivity of the migration zone are measured during the constant head permeability test. The falling head permeability tests show that the coefficient of permeability decreases as the DVF of the specimen increases. In addition, the gradient of the coefficient of permeability curve decreases in the DVF range of 10%~50% compared with that of 0%~10%, and increases above 50% in DVF. The result of constant head permeability tests shows that the coefficient of permeability decreases and electrical resistivity increases in the migration zone due to the fine diatom particle migration. This study demonstrates that fine diatom particle migration reduces the permeability of the soils and the behavior of the migration zone due to the fine diatom particle migration may be estimated based on the reversal relationship between the coefficient of permeability and the electrical resistivity.