• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2023

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants use surplus CO₂ generated by cooling and heating at night when ventilation is not needed in a greenhouse. Schlumbergera truncata 'Pink Dew' is a multi-flowering cactus that needs more phylloclades for high-quality production. This study examined photosynthetic characteristics by the phylloclade levels of S. truncata in a growth chamber and a greenhouse for use of night CO₂ enrichment. The CO₂ uptake rate of the S. truncata's top phylloclade in a growth chamber exhibited a C₃ pattern, and the second phylloclade exhibited a C₃-CAM pattern. The CO₂ uptake rate of the top phylloclade in a greenhouse showed a negative value both day and night, but those of the second phylloclade exhibited a CAM pattern. The stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency (WUE) of S. truncata at both the top and second phylloclades were higher in a growth chamber than in a greenhouse. The WUE of S. truncata in a growth chamber and a greenhouse was higher at the second phylloclade, which is a CAM pattern compared with those of the top phylloclade. The daily total net CO₂ uptake of S. truncata was higher in a growth chamber than in a greenhouse. The daily total net CO₂ uptake of S. truncata at the second phylloclade had the highest value of 155 mmol·m^-2·d^-1 in a growth chamber. The night total CO₂ uptake of S. truncate at the second phylloclade was 3-fold higher in a growth chamber than in a greenhouse. S. truncata's second phylloclade exhibited a CAM pattern that uptake CO₂ at night, and the second phylloclade, was more mature than the top phylloclade. A multi-flowering cactus S. truncata 'Pink Dew' efficiently uptake night surplus CO₂ in the proper environmental condition with matured phylloclade.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.548-553
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• 2006

Background : Alcoholic ketoacidosis(AKA) is a metabolic disturbance that is caused by prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption. Though the prognosis is reportedly good, its outcome is unclear in some cases that are combined with multi-organ failure. There are few reports of an analysis of cases admitted to an intensive care unit(ICU) Method: Cases of AKA admitted to the ICU over the last 5 years were retrospectively analyzed. Severe AKA was characterized by multi-organ failure that required treatment in an ICU Results : All patients were males with a history of excessive alcohol consumption. Five of them (50%) mainly complained of gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), showing metabolic acidosis with an increased asmolar and anion gap. Rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure was the most common combined organ failure. Mechanical ventilation was performed in 80%. Six patients died and 4 patients survived. In the surviving patients, the arterial blood gas analysis(ABGA) was normalized within 12 hours after admission. Conclusion : In severe AKA patients, rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure was the most common complication. The mortality rate was high and death from shock occurred within 3 days.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.149-161
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• 1995

The first national survey on esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula was conducted to access the current status of its incidence, clinical manifestation, preoperative diagnosis and management, type of its anomaly, associated anomalies, and surgical results and course. The 43 members of the Korea Association of Pediatric Surgeons received questionnaires and registration forms to be filled out on each patient who were born during the three years from January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1994. Questionnaires composed of six broad areas which include 1) preoperative diagnosis and management, 2) surgical technic, 3) long gap, 4) postoperative management, and 5) complications and courses. A total of 148 cases was returned by 28 members working at 23 institutions and 27 members returned questionnaires. We obtained the following results by analysis of the 148 cases of tracheoesophageal anomalies. The incidence of tracheoesophageal anomaly was about 1/10,000-11,000 in 1994, which is one third of that of anorectal malformations in Korea and the distribution of the patients was almost proportionate to the size of each province. Both sexes are about equally affected. Majority of the members make diagnosis of tracheoesophageal anomaly by taking a simple infantogram with a radiopaque tube in upper pouch and a little under half(46%) prefers to perform echocardiography as a part of preoperative management to identify congenital heart disease and lateralize the aorta. Esophageal atresia with distal TEF(87.5%) was by far the most common and there were pure esophageal atresia(5.6%), H-type TEF(2.1%), and so on. About half(49%) of the patients had one or more associated anomalies in addition to tracheoesophageal anomalies. Congenital heart disease was associated in 46 cases(31%), anorectral malfomations in 19 cases(13%), musculoskeletal anomalies in 15 cases(10%), genitourinary anomalies in 10 cases(7%) and gastrointestinal anomalies in 7 cases(5%). Postoperatively, parenteral nutrition and assisted ventilation were given in 66% and 52% of patients respectively. Ninety three(74%) of 126 cases who underwent sugical procedure, experienced one or more complications such as respiratory complication(65%), leak(22%), stricture(21%) and so on. The survival rates related to the Waterston risk categories were 90.2% in group A, 71.4-75% in $B_1$, $B_2$, and $C_1$, groups, and 28% in group $C_2$, and the overall survival rate was 71.4%. Thirty six(28.6%) of 126 cases died of pneumonia/sepsis(12 cases), respiratory failure(12 cases), and congenital heart disease(4 cases). With short term follow-up, 69% of patients have been excellent whereas remainders of the cases have suffered from some sort of morbidity related to gastroesophageal reflux, recurrent respiratory infection, and esophageal stricture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2002

Background : The detection and early elimination of the causes for acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) at the initial stage can result in a more favorable prognosis. Miliary tuberculosis as a cause of the ARDS is quite rare. A diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis is difficult due to the diversity of radiological patterns and non-specific clinical finfings, and low sensitivity of sputum examinations for acid-fast bacilli(AFBs). An analysis of the clinical data is the first step in diagnosing these unusual, rare cases. Materials and Methods : In this study the clinical features, laboratory data, radiological findings and diagnostic methods were analyzed in 9 cases with an initial presentation of ARDS due to miliary tuberculosis. The ARDS was defined by the definition of the American-Europian consensus conference 1992. Results : The mean age of the patients was $67{\pm}18$ years (F:M=7:2). The chief complaints were dyspnea(5/9), coughing (3/9) and fever(5/9). On a physical examination, fine or coarse crackles were noted(6/9). The ARDS developed on average 6.7 days after the initial respiratory symptoms. The mean $PaO_2/FiO_2$ of the patients was $133.5{\pm}53.4$, the number of cases with a WBC<5000/$mm^3$ was 4 out of 9 cases. A platelet count<70,000/$mm^3$ was observed in 2 out of 9 cases, and the serum albumin level was $2.6{\pm}0.6$ g/dL. The initial simple chest PA showed ground glass appearances and consolidation in all cases, However, the miliary nodular densities were observed in only 4 out of the 9 cases. HRCT revealed alveolar densities and a consolidation in 5 out of 6 cases, and miliary nodules in 5 out of 6 cases, The diagnosis of tuberculosis was made by a liver biopsy (4/4, 100% sensitivity), a bone marrow biopsy (1/2, 50% sensitivity), and an open lung biopsy (1/1), the sputum AFB was positive in only 2 out of 9 cases. The patient was treated with INH, RFP, EMB, PZA, and steroids. The survival rate was 55.5%. Conclusion : Miliary tuberculosis should be considered as one of the causes for ARDS in areas where there is a high prevalence of tuberculosis. The chief complaints of the patients on admission are dyspnea, fever and coughing without any specific riskfactors. A liver biopsy is particularly useful in ARDS patients with mechanical ventilation to determine the causes of the ARDS if miliary tuberculosis is suspected as being the underlying disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.749-754
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• 2004

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (Off-Pump CABG) has been proven to have less morbidity and to facilitate early recovery. High-risk surgical patients may have benefitted by avoiding the adverse effects of the cardiopulmonary bypass. We compared the effectiveness of Off-Pump CABG with that of coronary artery bypass using cardiopulmonary bypass (On-Pump CABG) in high-risk patients. Material and Method: 682 patients (424 Off-Pump CABG and 258 On-Pump CABG) underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2001 and June 2003. Patients who were considered high risk were selected High risk is defined as the presence of one or more of nine adverse prognostic factors. Data were collected from 492 patients in Off-Pump CABG and 100 in On-Pump CABG for risk factors, extent of coronary disease, and in-hospital outcomes. Result： Off-Pump CABG group and On-Pump CABG group did not show differences in their preoperative risk factors. We used more arterial grafts in Off-Pump CABG group (p < 0.05). Postoperative results showed that operative mortality (0.5% in Off-Pump CABG versus 2.0% in On-Pump CABG), renal failure (2.6% in Off-Pump CABG versus 7.0% in On-Pump CABG), and perioperative myocardial infarction (1.5% in Off-Pump CABG versus 1.0% in On-Pump CABG) did not differ significantly. However, Off-Pump CABG had shorter mean operation time (p<0.05), lower mean CK-MB level (p <0.05), lower rate of usage of inotropics (p < 0.05), shorter mean ventilation time (p <0.05), lower perioperative stroke (0% versus 2.0%), and shorter length of stay (p < 0.05) than On-Pump CABG. On-Pump CABG had more distal grafts (p<0.05) than Off-Pump CABG. Although Off-Pump CABG and On-Pump CABG did not show statistical differences in mortality and morbidity was more frequent in CABG. Conclusion: Off-Pump CABG reduces morbidity and favors hospital outcomes. Therefore, Off-Pump CABG is safe, reasonable and may be a preferable operative strategy for high-risk patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.1 s.246
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• pp.29-37
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• 2005

This study was prospectively designed to determine the physiologic effects of normothermic CPB and to compare its influences with hypothermic CPB. Material and Method: Thirty-six adult patients scheduled for el­ective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to moderate hypothermic (hypothermic group nasopharyngeal tem­perature $26\~28^{\circ}C,\;n=18)$ ornormothermic (normothermic group, nasopharyngeal temperature > $35.5^{\circ}C\;n=18)$ CPB. Arterial blood samples were taken before CPB (Pre-CPB), 10 minutes after the start of CPB (CPB-10), and imme­diately after CPB stop (CPB-off) for determining total leukocyte counts, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), interleukin-6 (IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1), cortisol, troponin I (TNI), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the pulmonary index $(Pi,\;PaO_{2}/FiO_{2}),$Other parameters such as urine output, mechanical ventilating period, ICU-staying period, postoperative complications and hospitalized days were also evaluated. Result: Total leukocyte counts, increased rate in NSE, in IL-6 and in cortisol at CPB-10 and CPB-off were significantly higher in normothermic group than in hyphothermic group. Urine output during CPB was lower in normothermic group than in hyphothermic group. The duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU-stay, and hospitalization were longer in normothermic group than in hyphothermic group. Conclusion: These findings sug­gested that normothermic CPB caused higher inflammatory and stress responses than hypothermic CPB during car­diac surgery using cold crystalloid cardioplegia. However, further studies with large number of cases should be carried out to validate this hypothesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1090-1095
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• 2005

Purpose : In the case of serious respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) or relapse of clinical appearances after single treatment, we obtained more effective results with multiple-dose surfactant replacement therapy. We carried out this investigation for comparing and observing clinical progress between single-dose(group S) and multiple-dose(group M) pulmonary surfactant treatment group of neonatal RDS. Methods : We investigated 48 neonates who were diagnosed as RDS and treated with pulmonary surfactant(PS) replacement therapy in NICU of Kyunghee University hospital from January 2002 to March 2004, then we compared and verified clinical progress of 32 neonates in group S with that of 16 neonates in group M. Results : There were no significant statistical differences in average birth weights, average gestational periods, initial pH values of birth, whether operation of resuscitation at that time of birth was made or not, whether prenatal steroid prescription for mother, RDS classification standardized by Bomsel, and ventilation index(VI) before instillation of PS of two groups. However, there was significant statistical difference in a/A $PO_2$(P<0.05). We could observe changes of VI and a/A $PO_2$ within 72 hours have been continuously improved at group S rather than group M. In spite of relapses, group M changed for the better after second dose. There were also no significant differences between the two groups in duration of ventilator therapy, mortality within 28 days after birth, intraventricular hemorrhage by complication, retinopathy of premature, necrotizing enterocolitis, chronic lung diseases, sepsis, and DIC. Conclusion : In these relapse cases, as there were no significant differences in the mortality rate and the occurence of complication between group S and group M, the requirement of multiple-dose PS replacement therapy which brought improvement of prognosis was emphasized.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1153-1160
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• 2009

Purpose:To evaluate the risk factors for mortality and prognostic factors in pediatric hemato-oncology patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric hemato-oncology patients admitted at the PICU of the Asan Medical Center between September 2005 and July 2008. Patients admitted at the PICU for perioperative or terminal care were excluded. Results:Total 88 patients were analyzed. Overall ICU mortality rate was 34.1%. Mean age at PICU admission was $7.0{\pm}5.7$ years and mean duration of PICU stay was $18.1{\pm}22.2$ days. Hematologic diseases contributed to 77.3% of all the primary diagnoses, and the primary cause of admission was respiratory failure (39.8%). The factors related to increased mortality were C-reactive protein level (P<0.01), ventilation or dialysis requirement (P<0.01), and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (P<0.05). In all, 3 scoring systems were investigated [Number of Organ System Failures (OSF number), the Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM III) score, and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score]; higher score correlated with worse outcome (P<0.01). The Oncological Pediatric Risk of Mortality (O-PRISM) scores of the 21 patients who had received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were higher among the non-survivors, but not statistically significant (P=0.203). Conclusion:The PRISM III and SOFA scores obtained within 24 hours of PICU admission were found to be useful as early mortality predictors. The highest OSF number during the PICU stay was closely related to poor outcome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2008

Purpose : This study was aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute interstitial pneumonia who had presented similar clinical patterns from March to June, 2006 and to describe our experience of treatment and to identify risk factors associated with prognosis. Methods : The clinical characteristics, radiologic and histopathologic findings and response to steroids of 15 patients (non-survival group [n=7] and survival group [control, n=8]) with acute interstitial pneumonia were investigated through the review of medical records. Results : The mean age of the patients was 26 (range: 3-48) months. Cough, cyanosis and fever were frequent symptoms. The most frequent radiologic findings on admission were pneumomediastium and extensive ground glass opacity. Surgical lung biopsy was performed on 8/15 (53.3%) patients and diffuse alveolar damage was found. Mechanical ventilation was applied for 9/15 (60.0%) patients for 40 (range: 1-99) days. Five patients in survival group received steroid treatment and 7 patients in non-survivial group (P=0.20). One patient in survival group received steroid pulse treatment and 4 patients in non-survival group (P=0.12). Seven patients died all of respiratory failure. The survival rate was 53.4%. Conclusion : The patients with acute interstitial pneumonia which occurred on spring 2006 showed high mortality because of rapidly and extensively progressing pulmonary fibrosis and air leakage. Therefore, we should consider surgical lung biopsy and steroid application earlier. We should recognize this acute interstitial pneumonia occurring on spring in domestics and need to investigate the cause and treatment in large scale.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.228-234
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• 2006

Background : Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen associated with nosocomial infections in intensive care units, and is responsible for nosocomial pneumonia, UTI, bacteremia, etc. The main concern is that this pathogen is often resistant to many antimicrobial agents, particularly to carbapenem. This study compared the clinical those of ICU admitted patients with the carbapenem resistant A. baumannii isolated from the sputum with characteristics of patients with carbapenem sensitive A. baumannii. Methods : A total of 49 patients with A. baumannii from a sputum culture who were admitted to the ICU from January to December 2003 were enrolled in this study. This study evaluated the demographic variables, mortality, APACHE II score, comorbidity, antibiotics used, hospital and ICU stay, Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, and mechanical ventilation. A retrospective analysis was made by a review of the patients' medical records. Results : Carbapenem sensitive and resistant A. baumannii was isolated from 23 patients and 26 patients respectively. Univariate analysis revealed renal disease, the use of carbapenem and aminoglycoside to be statistically significant factors for carbapenem resistance. Multivariate analysis revealed carbapenem use(p=0.024; OR, 8.17; CI 1.32 to 50.68) to be positively associated with carbapenem resistance, and aminoglycoside use(p=0.026; OR, 0.18; CI, 0.04 to 0.82) to be negatively associated with carbapenem resistance. There was no significant difference in mortality between the carbapenem sensitive and resistant group(30 vs 42%. P=0.39). Conclusion : The occurrence of carbapenem resistant A. baumannii is positively associated with carbapenem use and negatively associated with aminoglycoside use. Carbapenem resistance in the sputum culture did not affect the mortality rate.