• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-50
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• 2023

As the field of interventional pain management (IPM) grows, the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) is increasing. SSI is defined as an infection of the incision or organ/space that occurs within one month after operation or three months after implantation. It is also common to find patients with suspected infection in an outpatient clinic. The most frequent IPM procedures are performed in the spine. Even though primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis via hematogenous spread is the most common type among spinal infections, secondary spinal infections from direct inoculation should be monitored after IPM procedures. Various preventive guidelines for SSI have been published. Cefazolin, followed by vancomycin, is the most commonly used surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in IPM. Diagnosis of SSI is confirmed by purulent discharge, isolation of causative organisms, pain/tenderness, swelling, redness, or heat, or diagnosis by a surgeon or attending physician. Inflammatory markers include traditional (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and white blood cell count) and novel (procalcitonin, serum amyloid A, and presepsin) markers. Empirical antibiotic therapy is defined as the initial administration of antibiotics within at least 24 hours prior to the results of blood culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Definitive antibiotic therapy is initiated based on the above culture and testing. Combination antibiotic therapy for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria infections appears to be superior to monotherapy in mortality with the risk of increasing antibiotic resistance rates. The never-ending war between bacterial resistance and new antibiotics is continuing. This article reviews prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infection in pain medicine.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1216-1233
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• 2023

Conventional occupational therapy (OT) is conducted under the observation of an occupational therapist, and there are limitations in measuring and analyzing details such as degree of hand tremor and movement tendency, so this important information may be lost. It is therefore difficult to identify quantitative performance indicators, and the presence of observers during performance sometimes makes the subjects feel that they have to achieve good results. In this study, by using the Unity3D and artificial intelligence (AI) speaker, we propose a system that allows the subjects to steadily use it by themselves and helps the occupational therapist objectively evaluate through quantitative data. This system is based on the OT of the sensory integration approach. And the purpose of this system is to improve children's activities of daily living by providing various feedback to induce sensory integration, which allows them to develop the ability to effectively use their bodies. A dynamic OT cognitive assessment tool for children used in clinical practice was implemented in Unity3D to create an OT environment of virtual space. The Leap Motion Controller allows users to track and record hand motion data in real time. Occupational therapists can control the user's performance environment remotely by connecting Unity3D and AI speaker. The experiment with the conventional OT tool and the system we proposed was conducted. As a result, it was found that when the system was performed without an observer, users can perform spontaneously and several times feeling ease and active mind.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.236-251
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• 2023

Alcohol consumption alongside combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has attracted research interest, especially because of increasing male infertility. This study investigated the combined effects of alcohol and cART on testicular morphology, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Rats, weighing 330-370 g, were divided into four groups of six animals each; control, alcohol treated (A), cART, and alcohol plus cART treated (A+cART). Following 90 days treatment period, animals were euthanized, testis extracted, and routinely processed for histology and immunohistochemical analysis. Significantly decreased epithelial area fraction, increased luminal and connective tissue area fractions, and reduction of epithelial height and spermatocyte number, were recorded in the treated groups compared to control. Extensive seminiferous epithelial lesions including widened intercellular space, karyolysis, and sloughing of germinal epithelium were recorded in all the treated groups. Furthermore, upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, interleukin-6, and caspase 3 recorded in treated animals, was more significant in A+cART group. Also, the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were more elevated in A and cART treated groups than in A+cART, while MDA was significantly elevated in cART and A+cART treated groups compared to control group. Altogether, the results indicate testicular toxicity of the treatments. It is concluded that consuming alcohol or cART induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in testis of rats, which lead to testicular structural and functional derangements, which are exacerbated when alcohol and cART are consumed concurrently. The result will invaluably assist clinicians in management of reproductive dysfunctions in male HIV/AIDS-alcoholic patients on cART.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.2189-2198
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• 2014

Paraquat (PQ) is a very effective and widely used herbicide that was commercially introduced in 1962. In this study, instead of using antioxidants like in the past, to inhibit the formation of PQ-induced ROS, we attempted to reduce the oxygen concentration by using non-lethal hypoxia therapy. Therefore, we studied the toxicity of PQ in vivo, analyzed the major effects of ROS on the targeted lung tissue and compared the results with the gross histological changes after the cell protective effect of non-lethal hypoxia therapy. In vivo studies demonstrated that low-concentration oxygen therapy (i.e., 10-12% oxygen) in rats administered with PQ was associated with a higher survival rate than in rats that received only PQ. In vivo non-lethal hypoxia treatment showed better survival and less lung tissue damage. Using a hypoxic/anaerobic incubator with integrated multifaceted molecular analysis, including MDA assay, glutathione assay, and SOD assay, we established an optimal, significantly reduced in vivo non-lethal hypoxia treatment by exploiting the PQ-induced cytotoxicity responses.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.33-40
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of multi joint-joint position sense (MJ-JPS) training on joint position sense, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. A total of 18 stroke patients participated in the study. The subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. Participants in the experimental group received MJ-JPS training (10 min) and conventional treatment (20 min), but participants in the control group only received conventional treatment (30 min). Both groups received training for five times per week for six weeks. MJ-JPS is a training method used to increase proprioception in the lower extremities; as such, it is used, to position the lower extremities in a given space. MJ-JPS measurement was captured via video using a Image J program to calculate the error distance. Balance ability was measured using Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Gait ability was measured with a 10 m walking test (10MWT) and by climbing four flights of stairs. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess normalization. Within-group differences were analyzed using the paired t-test. Between-group differences were analyzed using the independent t-test. The experimental group showed a significant decrease in error distance (MJ-JPS) compared to the control group (p<.05). Both groups showed a significant difference in their BBS and 10MWT results (p<.05). The experimental group showed a significant decrease in their TUG and climbing results (p<.05), but the control group results for those two tasks were not found to be significant (p>.05). There was significant difference in MJ-JPS and by climbing four flights of stairs on variation of pre and post test in between groups (p<.05), but TUG and BBS and 10MWT was no significantly (p>.05). We suggest that the MJ-JPS training proposed in this study be used as an intervention to help improve the functional activity of the lower extremities in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.67-81
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• 1996

This study was performed to assess the efficacy of high voltage pulsed galvanic current for the healing of wounds in rabbits. Skin wounds were created laterally on the flank of 12 domestic rabbits($3{\times}3cm$). The wounds of each group were treated with an intensity of 170 V at a frequency of 70 pulses per second, which was applied for 30 minutes a day for 10 days. The experimental groups were randomly assigned to either EXP I (n=3), EXP II(n=3), EXP III(n=3) or control(n=3). Each group was stimulated under the following conditions : 1) EXP I (Negative polarity), 2) EXP II (Change in polarity, negative electrode stimulation during the first 3 days and then positive electrode stimulation from 4 to 10 days), 3) EXP III(Positive polarity), 4) control(No stimulation). An active electrode was placed over the wound and a dispersive electrode on the buttock. The rate of wound closure was compared with the original wound size, evaluated by a tracing film in each measurement period. Finally, on the wound in each group, skin tissue was excised for histological evaluation after treatment for 10 days. The results obtained are as follows : 1) It was found that the control group did not show a complete remodeling of epitherial layer and had a chronic inflammatory response. Judging from the irregularity of intercellular space and the loose alignment of connective tissue, these findings show that wound healing was delayed. 2) EXP I showed a significant bactericidal effect, but a moderate response of vasodilation. The rate of wound closure was slower when compared with EXP II, III. 3) EXP II showed a complete remodeling of epitherial layer and a positive repair of connective tissue. Its rate of wound closure was best when compared with the others. 4) EXP III had a slower rate of wound closure than EXP II, but judging from the greater proliferation of collagen fibers and the dense alignment of connective tissue, this positive electrode was very effective in the formation of neo - connective tissue.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.317-328
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• 1997

Since laser therapy has been applied to dentistry, many dental practitioners are very interested in laser therapy on various intraoral soft tissue lesions including gingival hyperplasia and aphthous ulcer. The purpose of the present study was to determine the therapeutic effect and the harmful effect of a pulsed-Nd:YAG laser irradiation on human gingival tissue. In twenty periodontal patients with gingival enlargement, the facial gingival surface of maxillary anterior teeth was randomly irradiated at various power of 1.0W(100mJ, 10Hz), 3.0W(100mJ, 30Hz) and 6.0W(l50mJ, 40Hz) for 60 seconds by contact delivery of a pulsed-Nd:YAG laser(EN.EL.EN060, Italy). Immediately after laser irradiation, the gingival tissues were surgically excised and prepared in size of 1mm3. Subsequently the specimens were processed for prefixation and postfixation, embedded with epon mixture, sectioned in $1{\mu}$ thickness, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and observed under transmission electron microscope(JEM 100 CXII). Following findings were observed; l. In the gingival specimens irradiated with l.OW power, widening of intercelluar space and minute vesicle formation along the widened intercellular space were noted at the epithelial cells adjacent to irradiated area. 2. In the gingival specimens irradiated with 3.0W power, the disruption of cellular membrane, aggregation of cytoplasm, and loss of intercellular space were observed at the epithelial cells adjacent to irradiated area. 3. In the gingival specimens irradiated with 6.0W power, the disruption of nuclear and cellular membrane was observed at the epithelial cells adjacent to irradiated area. The ultrastructural findings of this study suggest that surgical application of a pulsed-Nd:YAG laser on human gingival tissue may lead somewhat delayed wound healing due to damage of epithelial cells adjacent to irradiated area.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.110-113
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• 2008

Purpose: The jejunal free flap is the most standard and reliable procedure of reconstruction of the circumferential pharyngoesophageal defect because it provides pliable, elastic, secreting mucosa and posses reliable vascular anatomy. In this report, the authors introduce the modification of jejunal free flap for decreasing the complications in fatty complicated patients. Method: After harvesting the jejunum with mesentery and mesenteric vessels, both ends of jejunum were excised remaining the mesenteric portion. The jejunal portion of this composite flap was placed to reconstruct esophagopharyngeal defect area and the mesenteric portion was used to obliterate the dead space at paratracheal region and to cover the vital structure and the vascular anastomotic region. Result: A 72 year-old man with recurrent hypopharyngeal cancer who had about 15 cm sized circumferential pharyngoesophageal defect after total pharyngectomy was reconstructed with jejunomesenteric composite free flap without any complications. Conclusion: The mesenteric flaps at both side of jejunomesenteric composite free flap provide the advantages that could obliterate dead space, that could provide cover for the vital cervical vascular structure in case of vascularity was compromised due to previous radiation therapy, and that could preserve as much vascularity at both ends of jejunal flap as possible.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.18-32
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• 2016

Objectives : This study aims to analyze the co-occurrence of pathological symptoms and corresponding acupoints as documented by the comprehensive acupuncture and moxibustion records in the classical texts of Far East traditional medicine as an aid to a more efficient understanding of the tacit treatment principles of ancient physicians. Methods : The Classic of Nourishing Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion(Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing; hereinafter ZZJ) was selected as the primary reference book for the analysis. The pathology-acupoint co-occurrence analysis was performed by applying 4 values of vector space measures(weighted Euclidean distance, Euclidean distance, $Cram\acute{e}r^{\prime}s$ V and Canberra distance), which measure the distance between the observed and expected co-occurrence counts, and 3 values of probabilistic measures(association strength, Fisher's exact test and Jaccard similarity), which measure the probability of observed co-occurrences. Results : The treatment records contained in ZZJ were preprocessed, which yielded 4162 pathology-acupoint sets. Co-occurrence was performed applying 7 different analysis variables, followed by a prediction simulation. The prediction simulation results revealed the Weighted Euclidean distance had the highest prediction rate with 24.32%, followed by Canberra distance(23.14%) and association strength(21.29%). Conclusions : The weighted Euclidean distance among the vector space measures and the association strength among the probabilistic measures were verified to be the most efficient analysis methods in analyzing the correlation between acupoints and pathologies found in the classical medical texts.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon disease caused by microbial pathogens through hematogenous infection, local spread, or iatrogenic infection. As the symptoms have an insidious onset, the early stage of septic arthritis is often confused with other diseases. A 49-year-old man was referred for increasing preauricular pain, swelling, and restricted mouth opening. He had been initially diagnosed as having a conventional temporomandibular joint disorder and trigeminal neuralgia and had been treated for the same. Imaging studies including panoramic view, lateral tomography, computed tomography with contrast enhancement, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. Erosive bone change with displacement of the involved condyle, diffuse swelling of adjacent soft tissue, and fluid collection in the joint space were noted. Needle aspiration of the joint space and bacterial culture confirmed the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the TMJ and he was treated with antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage. Clinicians should always consider the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the TMJ in patients with preauricular pain or swelling.